Citation Nr: 21028324
Decision Date: 05/11/21	Archive Date: 05/11/21

DOCKET NO. 14-28 147
DATE: May 11, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from June 2006 to September 2011.

This matter is before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal of a February 2013 rating decision of the Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Board remanded this case in May 2018. It returns for appellate consideration.

Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

Although the Board sincerely regrets the additional delay, further development is necessary to decide the Veteran's claim so that he is afforded every possible consideration. The Veteran was most recently examined for purposes of determining if he meets the criteria for a hearing loss disability 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 in November 2019. Since the November 2019 examination, the Veteran has contended his hearing worsened and has requested the Board remand the appeal for a current examination. See March 2021 Brief.

A positive nexus opinion is already of record, finding the Veteran's hearing thresholds underwent a significant shift in service due to noise exposure. See January 2013 Examination. 

Although the Veteran did not demonstrate hearing loss for VA purposes under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 at the November 2019 examination, he was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss. See November 2019 Examination.

Based on the Veteran's contentions his disability has worsened, a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss in November 2019, and in light of the favorable nexus opinion, the Board agrees that a current examination is warranted.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain updated VA treatment records.

2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA audiology examination for the purpose of ascertaining the presence of a hearing loss disability.

 

 

ERIC MINE

Acting Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	J. Trickey

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.