Citation Nr: 18160202
Decision Date: 12/27/18	Archive Date: 12/26/18

DOCKET NO. 16-63 308
DATE:	December 27, 2018
ORDER
Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is granted.
FINDING OF FACT
The Veteran’s tinnitus had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to his active service to include his service connected left ear hearing loss.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus have been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1112, 1113, 1131; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.310.
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from February 1988 to February 1991, from February 2003 to May 2004, from April 2008 to July 2009, and from August 2009 to August 2011.  
1. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.
In his notice of disagreement and in testimony in support of his appeal the Veteran reported having experienced tinnitus since 2007.  Service connection is established for left ear hearing loss. An October 2011 VA audiology examiner found it was at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s tinnitus is a symptom associated with his hearing loss.  There is no evidence indicating any nonservice-related etiology for his tinnitus.  
Recognition is given to a July 2013 VA examiner’s determination that it was less likely that the Veteran’s tinnitus was a symptom associated with his hearing loss because he denied ringing in the ears on his August 2011 post-deployment health re-assessment. However, the examiner provided no comments as to the Veteran’s report that he was still bothered by ringing in the ears.  As such, the Board finds that the July 2013 VA examiner’s opinion as to etiology warrants a lesser degree of probative weight.
Thus, in resolving all doubt in the Veteran’s favor, entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is granted. 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.310.
 
MICHAEL A. HERMAN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	T. Douglas, Counsel