Citation Nr: 22012144
Decision Date: 03/02/22	Archive Date: 03/02/22

DOCKET NO. 19-28 564
DATE: March 2, 2022

REMANDED

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 1969 to February 1973.  The Veteran testified at a September 2021 Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge.  A transcript is of record. 

At the September 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran reported that he was on supply for the 127 self-propelled guns.  He explained that when they went to the range to fire the gun, he was not issued and did not wear any hearing protection.  He indicated that there was one time span during which they went to the range 12 times over the course of three to four months.  The Veteran noted that he started to notice trouble with his hearing about one to two years after his separation from the service.  He described having trouble hearing while in groups.  He then went out and bought a cheap hearing aid.  His post-service work was as a programmer for an insurance company, where he was not subjected to any loud noise.  He explained that he eventually went to see an audiologist about his hearing, and that two different audiologists told him that his hearing loss was likely due to his time in the military, but neither audiologist would provide their opinion in writing. 

The Veteran underwent a VA examination in October 2018, at which the examiner opined that it was less likely than not (less than 50 percent probability) that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was related to his military noise exposure.  The examiner explained that the Veteran's hearing thresholds were within normal limits in both ears at the time of enlistment and at the time of separation from the military.  The examiner indicated that the Veteran's hearing loss developed after separation.  No further explanation was provided.  As the examiner's rationale rests solely upon bilateral hearing loss not being shown at the time of the Veteran's separation without any further explanation, and does not account for the Veteran's reports at his September 2021 Board hearing, a remand is warranted to obtain an addendum opinion that provides a thorough rationale and accounts for the Veteran's personal statements.    

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

Obtain a medical opinion to determine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is the result of his military noise exposure.  The examiner should review the Veteran's testimony at the September 2021 Board hearing pertaining to his bilateral hearing loss, to include his reports of extensive in-service noise exposure, when he first noticed the onset of his deteriorating hearing, his lack of post-service noise exposure, as well as his report that two audiologists told him his hearing loss was likely related to his military service.

 

 

MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	S. Lutgens-Staley, 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.