Reducing Barriers to Veterans' Benefits Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 23, 2013

Reducing Barriers to Veterans' Benefits Act - Presumes a service connection, for veterans' benefits purposes, for diagnosed hearing loss, tinnitus, or both, for veterans who, during active military service: (1) were assigned to a military occupational specialty in which the veterans were likely to be exposed to a level of acoustic trauma sufficient to result in permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, or both; or (2) served in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Benishek, Dan [R-MI-1] · R–MI

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Feb 8, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Jan 23, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 23, 2013
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2013
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 23, 2013 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.369 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.369, 113th Congress: Reducing Barriers to Veterans' Benefits Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr369/BILLS-113hr369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:36:11Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.369 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.369 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.369, 113th Congress: Reducing Barriers to Veterans' Benefits Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr369/BILLS-113hr369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:36:11Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.369 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.369 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.369, 113th Congress: Reducing Barriers to Veterans' Benefits Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr369/BILLS-113hr369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:36:11Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.369 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.369 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.369, 113th Congress: Reducing Barriers to Veterans' Benefits Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/369

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2013-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr369/BILLS-113hr369ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T18:36:11Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.369 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.