Citation Nr: 21022968 Decision Date: 04/19/21 Archive Date: 04/19/21 DOCKET NO. 19-01 536 DATE: April 19, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND On initial review, the Board remanded this case to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development. The AOJ endeavored to comply with the Board remand directives. Nonetheless, the Board deems further medical input necessary before deciding the case. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board remand directed that an audiologist review the audiograms in the Veteran’s service treatment records (STRs), make any necessary conversion from ASA to ISO/ANSI standards, and assess the Veteran’s currently diagnosed hearing loss. See 10/21/2020 BVA Decision. The examination report reflects that the audiologist did as directed and opined that it is not at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s currently diagnosed hearing loss is causally connected to active service. See 01/27/2021 C&P Exam, P. 2. In explaining the rationale for the negative nexus opinion, the audiologist briefly alluded to the commonly cited Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2006 study on noise exposure and hearing loss and its conclusion. See id. In the Brief submitted on behalf of the Veteran, his representative cites to an alternate study that he asserts now represents the prevailing view. See 04/09/2021 Appellate Brief, P. 2. The Board notes that the VA audiologist who conducted a 2021 examination did not cite any other factors in support of the negative nexus opinion. Hence, the Board deems additional medical input is necessary. See Colvin v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 171, 172 (1991); see also McCray v. Wilkie, 31 Vet. App. 243 (2019). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: (Continued on the next page)   Send the claims file to the audiologist who conducted the January 2021 review of the claims file and rendered a nexus opinion. Direct the audiologist to the April 2021 Appellate Brief and the study cited therein. Ask the audiologist to provide an addendum to the January 2021 report wherein he comments on the cited study and discusses whether it in any way changes the opinion he provided in January 2021. The discussion must provide a full explanation for why the cited study does or does not change his earlier opinion. The audiologist is also asked whether the IOC study was the sole basis for his negative January 2021 nexus opinion. If not, please discuss the other factors. If the audiologist is no longer available, send the claims file to an equally qualified audiologist for the addendum. Eric S. Leboff Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board W. T. Snyder 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.