Citation Nr: 21024889
Decision Date: 04/26/21	Archive Date: 04/26/21

DOCKET NO. 17-22 898
DATE: April 26, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active service from January 1974 to November 1974. 

1. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

This case was previously before the Board when it remanded the issue for a new VA examination in an April 2020 decision.  The AOJ obtained a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss in October 2020.  The examiner noted on the report, “it is evident that there is some level of sensorineural hearing loss bilaterally but thresholds from today’s examination appear to be exaggerated… which makes them unusable for a rating determination or assignment of an exact etiology.”  The Veteran’s medical records and lay statements indicate some medical treatment of his ears, particularly his right ear, possibly going back to the 1970s including partial mastoidectomy confirmed by CT scan in VA treatment records.  The Veteran should be offered another VA examination to determine if the examiner can obtain usable testing results and offer an opinion on etiology. 

 

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain any current VA treatment records since the prior record gathering. 

2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination for hearing loss.  The examiner should opine on whether the Veteran has any hearing loss that is at least as likely as not related to an event, injury, or disease during active service.  The examiner should also opine if the Veteran has any hearing loss that is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by any of his service-connected disabilities.  The examiner should opine whether the Veteran’s hearing loss has been present since active service.  The examiner should consider the Veteran’s lay history of ear conditions as well as medical treatment records and service records.        

 

DAVID L. WIGHT

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	E. Miller, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.