Bill Overview
Title: Hear our Heroes Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides a presumption of service-connection for hearing-related issues in certain veterans for purposes of wartime disability compensation. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Per the bill, certain veterans with diagnosed hearing loss, tinnitus, or both shall be presumed to have incurred or aggravated such conditions during active military, naval, or air service. This bill applies to veterans who (1) served in combat, or (2) were assigned to a military occupational specialty that likely exposed them to a sufficiently high level of acoustic trauma. The bill also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to adjust the schedule of rating disabilities to establish a minimum disability rating for a veteran who requires a hearing aid because of a service-connected disability.
Sponsors: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans with service-connected hearing issues
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill addresses veterans with hearing-related issues such as diagnosed hearing loss or tinnitus.
- There are approximately 18 million veterans in the United States as of recent data.
- Not all veterans will have hearing problems related to combat or occupational exposure to acoustic trauma, so the target is a subset.
- Hearing problems are a common issue among veterans due to exposure to loud noises during service.
- According to the VA, about 1.3 million veterans receive disability compensation for hearing loss.
- Tinnitus affects over 2.3 million veterans according to VA data, and many of these cases are linked to military service.
Reasoning
- The population targeted by this policy are veterans with hearing-related issues presumed to be service-connected, primarily those who served in combat or in roles with high acoustic trauma exposure.
- The policy has a budget of $1.8 billion for year 1 and over $20 billion for a decade; thus, it must carefully allocate resources to a manageable subset of the approximately 18 million U.S veterans.
- Considering statistical data, there are about 3.5 million veterans with potential service-connected hearing problems who might be impacted, though not all will experience the policy's effects.
- Some veterans will see significant improvements in their quality of life due to financial support and access to necessary devices like hearing aids, enhancing their well-being.
- Others might not feel a direct impact due to either not qualifying under the policy specifics or not having severe enough hearing issues to necessitate intervention.
Simulated Interviews
Retired, Former Infantry Soldier (Texas)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a veteran, it's reassuring to finally have acknowledgment of the challenges we face due to our service.
- A policy that recognizes our hearing issues and provides assistance is a relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
IT Specialist, Former Military Intelligence (California)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The assistance for hearing issues is helpful, but the process is often cumbersome.
- It's nice to see recognition in this area, but I hope implementation is smooth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Construction Worker, Former Navy Engineer (Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about time this issue is being addressed.
- Financial help with hearing aids will make a big difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired, Former Medic (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it's good for some, not all veterans with hearing issues get covered by this policy.
- I hope future policies will cast a wider net.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Mechanic, Former Artillery Coordinator (Ohio)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The financial support is critical for managing my daily struggles.
- Better late than never for recognizing these service-connected issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Student, Army Reserve (North Carolina)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Good to know support is available if my condition worsens due to service.
- The policy is promising for the future if things change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Nurse, Former Combat Medic (Washington)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any help is welcome, but I'm cautious about how accessible the benefits will be.
- There’s potential for good impact, but I hope it accounts for all affected service members.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Police Officer, Former Marine (Virginia)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The recognition of hearing issues due to military service is essential.
- Ensuring adequate support will be key to the policy's success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired, Former Electronics Specialist (Illinois)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy for those who qualify, but many of us won't benefit.
- The scope could be expanded.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Consultant, Former Military Strategist (Georgia)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn’t impact me, but I support efforts to help those in need.
- Awareness and support for hearing issues are steps in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1800000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2100000000)
Year 2: $1872000000 (Low: $1560000000, High: $2184000000)
Year 3: $1946880000 (Low: $1622400000, High: $2269440000)
Year 5: $2100000000 (Low: $1750000000, High: $2450000000)
Year 10: $2300000000 (Low: $1900000000, High: $2700000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Accurately estimating the number of veterans impacted and eligible for expanded benefits will drive the actual cost.
- Determining the extent of overlap between veterans receiving compensation for hearing issues and those meeting the bill's conditions will refine cost projections.
- Adjustments in the schedule of ratings for hearing-related disabilities will influence the size of individual benefit increases.
- The need to ensure adequate processing capacity within the VA to handle a potential increase in claims efficiently.