My grandfather served aboard a ship in the navy. His duty position was right beside his ship's main gun. Today he's almost stone deaf. After years of battling he successfully proved his hearing loss is largely due to that gun. He has been reimbursed thousands of dollars for medical bills and cheap hearing aids and a top of the line set of hearing aids have been provided to him as well as free batteries for life. Uncle Sam is a little reluctant, but he does take care of his boys eventually.