Posted on 11/12/2026 11:59:53 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
A divisive bill that cuts disability benefits for veterans with sleep apnea and tinnitus while simultaneously granting compensation for combat veterans was passed by the House on Veterans Day — evoking condemnation from Democrats and veterans groups.
“On a day when America honors the brave men and women who stepped forward to defend our freedom, House leaders chose to sneak through legislation threatening earned benefits for millions of veterans, their families and survivors,” Disabled American Veterans National Commander John Donovan said in a statement.
The legislative package would implement a rule change proposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2022 for how sleep apnea and tinnitus disability ratings are assessed...
Sleep apnea would be assessed based “on the effectiveness of medical treatment and intervention,” and tinnitus would be treated as a symptom of an underlying condition, like hearing loss or a traumatic brain injury.
According to the VA’s analysis for the proposed 2022 rule, the changes could reduce disability compensation payments by $57 billion over the next 10 years.
The package also includes the Maj. Richard Star Act, which is named after an Army reserve major who died of burn pit-exposure-linked lung cancer. The bill overturns current “double dipping” payment restrictions and allows combat-wounded veterans to receive both disability benefits and retirement pay. Congressional estimates indicate that the bill could cost $13 billion over the next decade.
(Excerpt) Read more at taskandpurpose.com ...
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Jim
Sounds like free money. I have both.
I was rated for tinnitus due to being Field Artillery. The rating was based on a person’s job. I think they only rate it 10% or something. Hard to prove.
Migraines are worse and easier to prove. They create audible and visual hallucinations like phantom conversations, routine noises out of place and time, and green-yellow tennis balls stuck in one area of vision.
If I understand correctly, it does not affect ratings for the above that were in effect prior to October er 2026. In my case the 10% tintinitus will remain.
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