2003 SESSION

03-0416

09/01

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HCR 2

ANALYSIS

This house concurrent resolution urges the federal government to recognize hearing loss as a service-connected disability for veterans who flew UH-1 helicopters in Vietnam.

03-0416

09/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

Whereas, veterans who flew UH-1 helicopters in Vietnam commonly incurred a high-frequency hearing loss; and

Whereas, under existing federal regulations, such a hearing loss is not presumed to be a service-connected disability; and

Whereas, the Veterans Hearing Loss Compensation Act of 2002, S. 2237, 107^th Congress (2002) is intended to enhance compensation for veterans with hearing loss and to establish a presumption of service connection for hearing loss associated with certain military occupational specialties; and

Whereas, the occupation of UH-1 helicopter pilot was a military specialty in which an individual was likely to be exposed to a sufficiently high level of acoustic trauma as to result in permanent hearing loss; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the general court urges the federal government to recognize the hearing loss of veterans who flew UH-1 helicopters in Vietnam as a service-connected disability; and

That copies of this resolution be sent by the house clerk to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, the chairpersons of the committees of the United States Congress having jurisdiction over veterans affairs, and each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.