Citation Nr: 21025823 Decision Date: 04/29/21 Archive Date: 04/29/21 DOCKET NO. 16-27 494 DATE: April 29, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from March 1973 to March 1975. This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2013 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The case was previously before the Board in February 2019 when it was remanded for further development. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss A review of the record indicates that the Veteran underwent audiological testing during an October 2013 VA audiology consult. Findings showed mild hearing loss in both ears; however, the actual results of the audiogram are not associated with the record. It was noted that the audiogram could be found in CPRS in the “Tools” menu under “Specialty Applications,” under “Audiology,” under “Audiogram Display.” As audiometric test data are relevant to the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, remand is required to obtain the VA audiometric results from October 2013. Also, VA audiology treatment records from September 2018 note that the Veteran did not require a repeat evaluation on that date because he just had one last year. A review of the record indicates that there are VA treatment records up to January 2016 and from July 2017 to October 2020. As there is an indication that the Veteran underwent relevant audiological testing during that time and there are missing VA treatment records, remand is required to obtain VA treatment records from January 2016 to July 2017. Results of audiological testing must also be obtained. Updated VA treatment records from October 2020 should also be obtained and associated with the claims file on remand. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain the audiometric and speech discrimination test results from the Veteran’s VA audiology appointment in October 2013. Results can be found in CPRS in the “Tools” menu under “Specialty Applications,” under “Audiology,” under “Audiogram Display.” **If it is unclear from any audiometry results whether speech discrimination testing was done using the Maryland CNC word list, please seek clarification regarding what type of speech discrimination testing was used. 2. Obtain VA treatment records, including any audiometric and speech discrimination test results, for the period from January 2016 to July 2017. Obtain any audiometry results from audiological testing during this time period. It is indicated in VA audiology treatment records from September 2018 that the Veteran did not require a repeat evaluation on that date because he had an evaluation done the previous year in 2017. Results from this testing should be obtained and associated with the claims file. **If it is unclear from such results whether speech discrimination testing was done using the Maryland CNC word list, please seek clarification regarding what type of speech discrimination testing was used. 3. Obtain updated VA treatment records, including any audiometric and speech discrimination test results, for the period from October 2020 to the present. Please also obtain any audiometry results during this time period. **If it is unclear from such results whether speech discrimination testing was done using the Maryland CNC word list, please seek clarification regarding what type of speech discrimination testing was used. Jennifer White Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Bonnie Yoon, 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.