Citation Nr: 18160428
Decision Date: 12/26/18	Archive Date: 12/26/18

DOCKET NO. 17-37 684
DATE:	December 26, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from January 1955 to December 1957.  
This matter is on appeal from a February 2017 rating decision.
Following the most recent July 2017 Statement of the Case, additional evidence has been added to the claims file.  In particular, in July 2018, the Veteran was afforded a VA audiological examination.  The RO also obtained VA treatment records dated from June 2017 to June 2018.  The information contained in this examination report and the VA treatment records are relevant to the Veteran’s claim for entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.  As such, the claim must be remanded for initial AOJ consideration of this evidence.
Additionally, in July 2018, the Veteran submitted a VA 21-4142a, General Release for Medical Provider Information to the Department of Veterans Affairs, requesting that the VA obtain his VA treatment records from the Denver VA Medical Center (VAMC) from July 2015 to July 2018.  As only Denver VAMC records from June 2017 to June 2018 are of record, these requested VA treatment records, and any updated records, should be obtained.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain the Veteran’s outstanding VA treatment records from the Denver VAMC for the period from July 2015 to the present.
2. After the above development, and any additionally indicated development, has been completed, readjudicate the issue on appeal.  If the benefit sought is not granted to the Veteran’s satisfaction, send the Veteran and his representative a Supplemental Statement of the Case and provide an opportunity to respond.  If necessary, return the case to the Board for further appellate review.
 
MICHAEL LANE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Department of Veterans Affairs

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