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Veterans Hearing Benefits Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-2810| Senate 
| Updated: 11/20/2019
Tina Smith

Tina Smith

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (1)
Robert Menendez (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Veterans Hearing Benefits Act of 2019 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.
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Timeline
Nov 7, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Nov 7, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 20, 2019
Star Print ordered on the bill.
  • November 7, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 7, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • November 20, 2019
    Star Print ordered on the bill.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 116-3866: Hear our Heroes Act of 2019
Disability assistanceHealth technology, devices, suppliesHearing, speech, and vision careVeterans' pensions and compensation

Veterans Hearing Benefits Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-2810| Senate 
| Updated: 11/20/2019
Veterans Hearing Benefits Act of 2019 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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Nov 7, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Nov 7, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 20, 2019
Star Print ordered on the bill.
  • November 7, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 7, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • November 20, 2019
    Star Print ordered on the bill.
Tina Smith

Tina Smith

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (1)
Robert Menendez (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 116-3866: Hear our Heroes Act of 2019
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Disability assistanceHealth technology, devices, suppliesHearing, speech, and vision careVeterans' pensions and compensation