1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

Veteran Request: Publicly Oppose Any Cuts to Earned VA Disability Benefits As a Veteran and Constituent I am writing to urge you to publicly oppose any legislation that would eliminate or reduce earned VA disability compensation for tinnitus, sleep apnea, or any other service-connected condition. I am deeply concerned by reports that congressional leadership may be considering legislation that would permanently eliminate compensation for future tinnitus and sleep apnea claims in order to generate budget savings for other provisions. If true, this would mark a dangerous departure from nearly a century of bipartisan support for protecting earned veterans’ benefits. Veterans did not create the budget challenges facing Congress. We should not be asked to pay for them. Tinnitus and sleep apnea are not accounting problems. They are documented service-connected disabilities suffered by millions of veterans. Disability compensation exists because military service carries real and lasting consequences. These benefits are part of the promise our nation made to those who volunteered to serve. I support passage of the Major Richard Star Act and believe medically retired combat-disabled veterans deserve the benefits they have earned. However, one group of veterans should not be forced to sacrifice their earned benefits so another group can receive theirs. Congress should pass the Richard Star Act as a standalone measure, without attaching cuts to VA disability compensation. I am especially troubled by reports that these provisions may be advancing without meaningful public review, public hearings, or consultation with veterans and veterans service organizations. Veterans deserve transparency and accountability whenever Congress considers changes to earned benefits. I respectfully ask that you: • Publicly state whether you support or oppose eliminating compensation for future tinnitus and sleep apnea claims. • Oppose any bill that uses VA disability compensation as a budget offset. • Demand full transparency and public release of legislative text before any hearings or votes. • Support a standalone vote on the Major Richard Star Act without benefit reductions attached. • Commit to protecting earned VA disability benefits for current and future generations of veterans. As someone who served this country, I find it unacceptable that earned veterans’ benefits could be treated as a bargaining chip during budget negotiations. Once Congress establishes the precedent that disability benefits can be legislated away to pay for other priorities, every veterans’ benefit becomes vulnerable. Veterans upheld our oath and fulfilled our obligations to this nation. Congress must uphold its obligation to us. I ask that you respond with your position on this issue and inform me what actions you will take to protect earned veterans’ disability benefits.