Citation Nr: 21021222 Decision Date: 04/12/21 Archive Date: 04/12/21 DOCKET NO. 17-27 399 DATE: April 12, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from November 1959 to November 1963. This case comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of a December 2015 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). When this case was last before the Board in February 2019, it was remanded for additional development. The case has now been returned to the Board for further appellate consideration. Although further delay is regrettable, the Board finds that a remand for additional development is required before the Veteran’s remaining claims can be decided. The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in September 2019. The examiner opined the Veteran’s hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely than not caused by his military service. In reference to the Veteran’s previous representative’s argument for delayed onset hearing loss, the examiner stated, “while neurologic weaknesses may develop after significant noise exposure, which may lead to hearing loss, and even tinnitus, gradually increasing in severity over the course of ‘several years,’ but certainly not after 45 years.” The examiner does not provide a basis for his opinion that delayed onset would not be applicable after 45 years, simply stating the Veteran’s exposure to hazardous noise was longer in his civilian occupation than his military career. Further, the examiner did not address the Veteran’s statements that he was exposed to jet engine noise daily within a hanger nor his statements that he did not wear hearing protection while in service, however, his civilian employment mandated hearing protection. See Notice of Disagreement, received July 2016; see also Capri Records, received September 2015. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Forward the Veteran’s entire claims file to a qualified VA examiner for an opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. If the examiner determines an additional examination is necessary, such an examination should be scheduled. Following a review of the relevant records and lay statements, and an additional examination, if necessary, the examiner should state whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally or etiologically related to the Veteran’s military service, including asserted noise exposure therein. In providing his or her opinion the examiner should address the following: a. The Veteran’s assertions that he did not wear hearing protection while in service, but hearing protection was mandated for his post service employment. b. The Veteran’s daily in-service noise exposure to jet engines within a hanger due to his military occupation as an aircraft mechanic. The examiner must provide a rationale for any proffered opinion. B. G. LeMoine Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board C. Townsend, Associate Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.