Citation Nr: 21030314
Decision Date: 05/18/21	Archive Date: 05/18/21

DOCKET NO. 16-24 022
DATE: May 18, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. 

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from April 1977 to July 1977 and from December 1979 to August 1981. This matter is on appeal from a July 2015 rating decision. 

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. 

The record clearly shows that the Veteran has a history of severe ear and hearing problems. The Board notes that on March 3, 2015, the Veteran was seen for a pre-operative hearing test. There, he reported a long history of decreased hearing with intermittent drainage in the left ear. He denied problems with his right ear. An evaluation of the right ear revealed mild to moderate frequency sensorineural hearing loss with excellent word recognition ability. His left ear revealed mild to severe mixed hearing loss with excellent word recognition ability. His tympanogram was flat. The examining physician noted that compared to his last audiogram in July 2014, results were essentially unchanged. 

In a May 2015 VA treatment record, it was noted that the Veteran has a history of chronic draining in the left ear, despite his tympanomastoidectomy on March 6, 2015. The examining physician also noted that his prior audiogram showed mixed hearing loss, with up to 35dB conductive component in the left ear. This prior audiogram, however, is not part of the claims file. 

Additionally, in January 2016, VA treatment notes indicated that compared to his post-operative audiometric results, his left ear acuity decreased by 15 dB at 1000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. It was decreased by 25 dB at 1500 and 2000 Hz. His left ear word recognition ability also decreased significantly from 92 percent to 68 percent. It was also noted that his pre-operative audiogram revealed mixed hearing loss, with up to 35 dB conductive component in the left ear. The Board finds that the post-op audiometric results, which show the reduction in hearing acuity, are not currently of record. 

As there are additional audiograms referenced by VA physicians that are not a part of the CAPRI records, a remand is warranted so that such audiograms may be obtained. 

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain VA treatment records containing the Veteran's audiograms and/or treatment notes pertaining to the Veteran's otolaryngology/ENT, specifically: 

(a.)   Audiometric readings dating July 2014 (Referenced by the Audiology Note on March 3, 2015). 

(b.) Audiometric readings which date prior to May 2015, which show mixed hearing loss, with up to 35 dB conductive component in the left ear. (Referenced by the otolaryngology note dating May 26, 2015). 

(c.) Audiograms and/or treatment notes pertaining to the Veteran's post-operation, which reflect a decrease of 15 dB at 1000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 8000 Hz, and a decrease of 25 dB at 1500 Hz and 2000 Hz, with word recognition ability decreasing significantly from 92 percent to 68 percent. (Referenced by otolaryngology note on January 14, 2016). 

 

 

Tiffany Dawson

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	N. Yeh, 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.