Citation Nr: 21026174 Decision Date: 04/30/21 Archive Date: 04/30/21 DOCKET NO. 19-24 340 DATE: April 30, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1976 to August 1979. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from March 2018 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In February 2020, the Board issued a decision that reopened the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss based on receipt of new and material evidence and then denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran appealed the denial to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claim (CAVC). In a December 2020 Order, pursuant to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR) filed by the parties, the Court vacated and remanded the February 2020 decision for compliance with the instructions in the JMPR. 1. Entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded. The Veteran contends his left ear hearing loss is due to in-service noise exposure from weapons firing, boot camp raining, and helicopter noises. On a May 2010 audiological examination the examiner opined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s hearing loss is due to military service noise exposure. However, examination at that time revealed normal left ear hearing. Subsequently, a March 2018 examination revealed left ear hearing loss and the examiner opined that the Veteran’s current disability is less likely than not related to the hazardous noise he was exposed to during service. In light of the JMPR and the conflicting opinions, the Board finds an additional opinion is needed. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Obtain an addendum medical opinion on the claim for service connection for left hearing loss. If a new examination is deemed necessary to respond to the questions presented, one should be scheduled. After review of the claims file, the examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the current left ear hearing loss is related to service. The examiner should explain why or why not, to include addressing the May 2010 favorable opinion and the Veteran’s contention denying post-service occupational or recreational noise exposure. Additionally, the examiner should explain why the current left ear hearing loss is or is not a delayed residual of in-service noise exposure. K. A. BANFIELD Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Asare, 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.