FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2026  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) opposes the comprehensive veterans’ legislation package introduced by House and Senate Republicans yesterday, Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (H.R. 9237), based on its intent to finance new veterans benefits by reducing or restricting earned disability compensation for other disabled veterans. 

“Veterans have earned their benefits through service and sacrifice,” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of IAVA. “They should not be forced to pay for new initiatives through reductions to benefits they already rely upon, and we should never indicate to one set of veterans that their service is worth less than any other.”  

Veterans’ disability compensation is not a budgetary offset. It is compensation for injuries, illnesses, and conditions incurred through military service. Of particular concern are proposals that target veterans living with service-connected tinnitus and sleep apnea. These conditions affect millions of veterans and can have significant impacts on physical health, mental health, employment, family life, and overall quality of life. Suggesting these disabilities are less deserving of compensation than others creates a dangerous precedent and undermines the principle that service-connected disabilities should be evaluated based on their actual impact on veterans. 

“Today it’s tinnitus and sleep apnea. Tomorrow it could be PTSD, migraines, toxic exposure conditions, or any other disability that becomes a tempting budget target,” continued Dr. Hunter. “Congress should not set the precedent that earned disability compensation can be reduced whenever lawmakers need an offset.” 

IAVA urges Congress to reject any proposal that reduces earned disability compensation and to pursue solutions that strengthen the benefits of every veteran that has earned them through their service to our nation. 

About IAVA: IAVA stands at the center of people, policy, and institutions to ensure that the lived experience of post-9/11 veterans is heard, measured, and acted on. We pair the experiences of post-9/11 veterans with evidence, use that to shape policy, and work with institutions that serve veterans to ensure that policies become real in veterans’ lives. By convening veterans, researchers, and decision-makers, IAVA drives the changes needed to ensure America serves the newest generation of veterans.  

Contact Information:  

Jessica Finucan 
Director, Policy and Advocacy 
Email: press@iava.org 
Website: IAVA.org