The Veteran seeks to reopen his claim for service connection for non-malignant thyroid disease and brain disease. The RO denied these claims previously but has now reopened them due to new evidence.,The Veteran also seeks a higher rating for hearing loss. He submitted private audiology notes, but the VA did not conduct an examination as requested by him.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss is remanded and will be considered in light of his presumed exposure to ionizing radiation during military service.
The deciding factor: The claims are being remanded because new evidence has been submitted, allowing the reopening of the claims. The specific basis for the presumption of exposure (presumptive or secondary) is not specified.,The claim for a higher rating for hearing loss will be reconsidered as VA did not conduct an examination despite the Veteran's request and the presumed exposure to ionizing radiation during service.,The hearing loss claim is being remanded because VA has not conducted an examination, which is required when there is a need to determine the exact nature or severity of a disability.
- Claimed conditions
- non-malignant thyroid disease, leukodystrophy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 2, 2011
- Citation
- 1132500
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1132500.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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