1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose Section 108 of the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (S. 4744 / House-passed legislation) and any regulatory changes that would slash VA disability ratings for sleep apnea and tinnitus. Congress passing this measure in the House on Veterans Day was an especially disgraceful insult to those who have worn the uniform. At an estimated $57 billion reduction in future veteran compensation, this represents the largest single cut to veterans' benefits since World War I and pushing it through on the very day meant to honor their sacrifice in the middle of another Persian Gulf war is unconscionable. Under these proposals, future claimants whose sleep apnea is managed with a CPAP machine could see their 50% rating dropped to 10% or even 0%, penalizing veterans simply for complying with life-sustaining medical treatment. Furthermore, eliminating the standalone 10% rating for recurrent tinnitus ignores the reality of service-connected acoustic trauma, leaving countless veterans with constant, debilitating ringing in their ears and zero compensation unless tied to severe hearing loss. Managing a chronic, service-connected condition with a medical device does not cure the underlying disability or erase its daily impact on a veteran's health, sleep, and earning capacity. Balancing the budget on the backs of disabled veterans breaks the fundamental promise our nation made when they raised their right hands to serve. Please protect the integrity of the VA disability rating schedule and reject any legislation or rulemaking that reduces benefits for sleep apnea and tinnitus.