Citation Nr: 18147617
Decision Date: 11/05/18	Archive Date: 11/05/18

DOCKET NO. 16-13 728
DATE:	November 5, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from July 1996 to August 2008.
Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.
The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus, contending that he frequently endured loud noises while in service, and that exposure to loud noise is the cause of his current tinnitus. 
The Veteran reports that while in service he worked as an Aviation Operations Specialist, and his office was directly underneath the flight deck.  He has asserted exposure to acoustic trauma from aircraft departing and landing, helicopters, and occasional explosions from rocket attacks during service.  His DD-214 confirms service as an Aviation Operations Specialist, and notes receipt of the Combat Action Ribbon.  
In September 2011 the Veteran reported to a VA physician that he had slight ringing in both ears, and he has subsequently been assessed as having tinnitus.  The Veteran did not attend a VA audiological examination to determine whether his current tinnitus symptoms are related to noise exposure in service.  
Given the Veteran’s current complaints of tinnitus and his competent and credible reports of in-service noise exposure, the Board believes a medical opinion should be obtained addressing whether a relationship exists between the two.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Obtain a VA opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran’s tinnitus.  The claims file should be provided to, and reviewed by the clinician.  The Board leaves it to the discretion of the clinician to determine whether another in-person examination is required.  The examiner is asked to respond to the following:
Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s tinnitus had onset in, or is otherwise related to his period of active duty service, to specifically include in-service noise exposure?  For the purposes of this opinion, the examiner should assume as true that the Veteran was exposed to noise from aircraft and combat noise as he so described.  The opinion should be accompanied by a clinical explanation or rationale.
 
V. Chiappetta
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	David M. Sebstead, Associate Counsel