To the Editor:

Once again, we find ourselves in the regrettable position of having to defend the benefits that disabled veterans earn through their service and sacrifice. This week, a new congressional proposal was unveiled that could cut benefits for up to 1.5 million veterans and reduce future disability compensation payments to them by as much as $57 billion in just the next 10 years, according to a VA analysis. This is wrong and it must be stopped.

The proposal would effectively stop compensating veterans for the impact of service-connected tinnitus and dramatically reduce compensation for most disabled veterans suffering from sleep apnea if they use a medical device (CPAP) while sleeping. These changes would apply to all new claims as well as any reassessments or reevaluations of existing claims. Eliminating compensation for sleep apnea and tinnitus is not a reflection of improved outcomes for veterans—it is a budget-driven decision that shifts the burden onto those who have already sacrificed in service to our nation.

This ‘poison pill’ was included in a larger veterans package that includes a number of key DAV priorities, including the Major Richard Star Act, increases for survivors benefits and catastrophically disabled veterans special monthly compensation (SMC) payments, expanded support for family caregivers, improvements in prosthetic equipment, and a number of other provisions DAV has been fighting to enact. However, because of self-imposed rules adopted by the House and Senate known as ‘PAYGO’, this legislation includes enormous cuts in benefits to supposedly ‘pay for’ providing veterans with benefits they have already earned.

While we appreciate all good faith efforts to develop and enact a package of positive veterans legislation, we reject the premise that the only way to fulfill the promises made to the men and women who served in the past is by cutting benefits for veterans in the future. Congress has regularly and repeatedly chosen to ignore or waive PAYGO rules and statutes for legislation when it was their priority. We now call on them to place the same priority on benefits and services owed to the men and women who have served, are serving, and will serve to defend our freedom in the future.

A grateful nation should never try to balance its budget on the backs of the men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom. It’s time for Congress to end the use of PAYGO for veterans benefits.

As the voice of the millions of veterans DAV represents, we will not stand by while budgetary considerations are placed above the well-being of all those who served.

DAV will not compromise our core mission of ensuring veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. Nor will we compromise our principles and leave future generations of servicemembers with fewer protections and benefits than those available today.

We remain committed to working with all Members of Congress in a bipartisan spirit, together with our fellow veteran and VSO colleagues, to find a path forward that keeps the nation’s promise to all veterans.

Any veteran or surviving spouse needing assistance with claim assistance can contact the local DAV chapter at 617-967-6892. The DAV provides this service free of charge.

Jeffrey Blonder
Adjutant
Thomas Hayes Disabled American Veterans
Chapter Reading, MA