Bill Overview
Title: Veterans Hearing Benefits 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: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans with hearing-related disabilities
Estimated Size: 2700000
- The bill targets veterans who are affected by hearing-related issues and have served in environments that exposed them to high levels of noise or acoustic trauma.
- This includes those who have served in combat or in certain military occupations.
- Hearing loss and tinnitus are common issues among veterans, often due to exposure to loud noises during service.
- The US Department of Veterans Affairs reported that there are about 2.7 million veterans receiving disability compensation for hearing-related issues.
Reasoning
- The bill could significantly improve the quality of life for those impacted by hearing-related issues among veterans, providing financial and medical support that might otherwise be unavailable.
- Considering the high prevalence of hearing issues among veterans, even a small individual impact could aggregate to substantial overall societal benefits.
- The budget allocated aims to cover a wide range of hearing-related disabilities among veterans, aiming to reach a significant portion of those affected.
- While the policy directly impacts veterans, other segments of the population, like their families, might also experience indirect benefits—like enhanced family interactions due to improved hearing.
- Those not eligible by the policy guidelines will not see direct benefits, reflecting the specificity required to manage the large target population within budget constraints.
Simulated Interviews
Retired (Houston, TX)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've struggled with my hearing for decades after my service.
- This policy could finally provide the support I need to afford better hearing aids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Retired engineer (Tampa, FL)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's been tough dealing with the constant ringing in my ears.
- This bill might mean I can finally seek the relief I've been needing.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Veteran Affairs counselor (San Diego, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the struggles veterans face firsthand.
- This policy could be a game-changer for many of the people I assist.
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 |
Logistics specialist (Denver, CO)
Age: 59 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about time they adjusted ratings for our real-world situations.
- This could improve my life significantly.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Teacher (Fort Worth, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My husband's hearing issues have been an ongoing problem.
- If this policy improves his condition, it will positively affect our family too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired factory worker (Portland, OR)
Age: 78 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This doesn't impact me as I wasn't in the military.
- I'm glad for the veterans who will benefit.
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 |
Retired nurse (Anchorage, AK)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even as a trained medical professional, my hearing issues have been complex.
- This policy might provide the missing link in my healthcare.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
IT Professional (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this can guarantee assistance for my hearing aids, it'll ease a financial burden.
- Happy that there's recognition of this issue.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Construction Manager (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My hearing concerns aren't severe, but if they worsen, this policy could help me stay out of pocket expenses.
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 |
Retired electric technician (Seattle, WA)
Age: 71 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hearing problems are crippling at this age.
- I'm hopeful that this will significantly improve my situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1530000000 (Low: $1224000000, High: $1836000000)
Year 3: $1560600000 (Low: $1248480000, High: $1872720000)
Year 5: $1627432060 (Low: $1301945650, High: $1952918470)
Year 10: $1775022091 (Low: $1420017673, High: $2130026509)
Year 100: $5995342595 (Low: $4796274076, High: $7194411114)
Key Considerations
- The increase in disability compensation should lead to improved quality of life for affected veterans, especially in the presence of consistent hearing impairments.
- Variability in acoustic trauma exposure across different veterans might lead to inconsistent application of the bill's provisions.
- Cost estimates assume a gradual increase in claims processing and service delivery by the Department of Veterans Affairs.