Citation Nr: 21021985
Decision Date: 04/14/21	Archive Date: 04/14/21

DOCKET NO. 15-15 578
DATE: April 14, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from January 1966 to December 1967.  The Veteran was scheduled for a Board hearing for which he did not report.  There has been no explanation or request for a new hearing and the hearing request is therefore considered withdrawn.

1. Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

Remand is necessary to afford the Veteran a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's most recent VA audiological examination was in November 2012. In an August 2013 statement, the Veteran asserted that the his hearing loss increased in severity since the Veteran was last examined by VA.  He also submited a May 2015 treatment record suggesting increased hearing loss.  The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his hearing loss disorder.

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. Contact the Veteran to determine whether there has been any treatment for his hearing loss since 2012, either privately or with the VA.  If so, attempt to obtain any records of treatment.  His assistance in identifying and obtaining records should be requested as needed.  All attempts to obtain records should be documented in the claims folder.

2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA audiological examination to address the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is to be provided access to the electronic claims file. The examiner must specify in the report that these records have been reviewed. Following a complete review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner is to provide a detailed review of the Veteran’s current complaints and the nature and extent of any hearing loss disability, as well as a discussion of the functional effects of the Veteran’s hearing loss on the ordinary conditions of daily life and activities of daily living including, but not limited to, any interference with his ability to work.

 

 

MICHAEL D. LYON

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Shana Z. Siesser, 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.