Citation Nr: 18153026
Decision Date: 11/27/18	Archive Date: 11/26/18

DOCKET NO. 18-41 796
DATE:	November 27, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
1. Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
The Veteran reported in his August 2018 substantive appeal that his bilateral hearing condition had worsened, such that he “always” has people repeat themselves or talk in a loud tone of voice.  See VA Form 9 (August 2018).
Because this evidence suggests a material worsening of the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss since his last VA examination in August 2017, reexamination is necessary.  See 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.326, 3.327 (reexaminations will be requested whenever VA determines there is a need to verify the current severity of a disability, such as when the evidence indicates there has been a material change in a disability or that the current rating may be incorrect); Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 403 (1997).
To the extent that he seeks compensation for vertigo or imbalance as suggested in his August 2018 substantive appeal, he is advised that all claims for benefits must be submitted on required forms.  Effective on March 24, 2015, VA amended its rules as to what constitutes a claim for benefits; such now requires that claims be made on specific claim form prescribed by the Secretary and available online or at the local Regional Office.  This provision effectively removed informal claims from VA’s processes.
2. Entitlement to TDIU is remanded.
The issue of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the claims for increase.  Therefore, the Board must defer consideration of that claim at this time.  See Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 181 (1991).
(Please note, this appeal has been advanced on the Board’s docket pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 20.900(c).  Expedited handling is requested.)
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss disability.  The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria.  To the extent possible, the examiner should identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to hearing loss alone and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s hearing loss on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living.

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2. Readjudicate.
 
C.A. SKOW
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Snoparsky, Associate Counsel