Veterans groups slam House for quietly passing divisive benefits bill on Veterans Day

Task & Purpose ^ | Nov 12, 2026 | Patty Nieberg

[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.

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: benefits; disability; healthcare; illness; insurance; va; veterans; veteransaffairs

[crusty old prospector]

Sounds like free money. I have both.

[Justa]

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.

[abigkahuna]

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.

[stanne]

What sounds like free money?

Compensation for cancer, possible work disruption earnings from symptom and treatment,from exposure to burn pit fire fumes while serving in combat?

[vpintheak]

I’ve got tinnitus. I was a mortar, it was 100% caused by military service. I have 10% disability for it.
I never understood how the government could be on the hook for someone who has sleep apnea. Seriously.
I fully support all veterans to be compensated for injuries received during service, but lets be real here.

[GreyFriar]

I also receive 10% disability for tinnitus based upon my field artillery MOSs, 13E & 13F. The qualification was made easier a few years ago, shortly before I applied for a re-look at my disabilities. The “disability pay” I receive is deducted from my taxable Army retired pay and “given” to me via the VA and it is NOT taxable. Thus no double dipping for receiving retired and disability pay.

It is my understanding, from my county VA rep, that the “double dipping” begins only after a vet has a total disability rating of 50% or greater.

[GMThrust]

I’m sure that most of us who served have stories about VA disabilities. A Nav who I used to fly with went through the process and applied for disability benefits. He got 80% and a year later he had an incident with his wife where he, no kidding, “broke” his johnson. He asked for that to be included and he was awarded another 10%. So, there is fraud amongst veterans and he is no longer an acquaintance.

[SubVet72]

I was given 10% for tinnitus plus 40% for hearing loss. Tinnitus being a result of hearing loss. I served on a diesel electric submarine in the early 70’s.