§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will recognise tinnitus related to service in the armed forces for pension and benefits purposes; [32995]
(2) if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on granting pensions to ex-servicemen who suffer from tinnitus. [32997]
§ Mr. DenhamTinnitus is a symptom not a discrete pathology or diagnosis. It can be due to many causes other than ear pathologies.
Where tinnitus is linked to disablement which is due to service it will be included as part and parcel of that disablement and may result in an increased assessment of the disablement and therefore an increased pension. Tinnitus is therefore, already recognised and considered when determining the level of an award under the War Pension Scheme.