VA Benefits: New Warning Over Cuts for 1.5M Veterans as Bill Pushed Forward
Summary
A new bill in Congress aims to expand benefits for some veterans but could reduce disability payments for up to 1.5 million veterans with sleep apnea and tinnitus. Veterans' groups and some lawmakers warn the bill would cut payments for many disabled veterans to pay for new benefits, causing concern and opposition.Key Facts
- The bill is called the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act and combines over 60 veterans' bills.
- It would expand benefits for combat-wounded veterans, caregivers, and survivors.
- The bill changes how disability for tinnitus and sleep apnea is evaluated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Tinnitus might no longer be a standalone disability rating and could be treated as a symptom of other conditions.
- Sleep apnea compensation would depend more on how well the condition is treated.
- A VA analysis predicts the bill could cut disability payments by up to $57 billion over 10 years.
- Up to 1.5 million veterans might see their disability payments reduced.
- Major veterans’ organizations like Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars oppose the bill.
- Some Democratic lawmakers, including Mark Takano and Richard Blumenthal, also oppose the legislation.
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