Commander's Report
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Commander's Report
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BLACK VETERANS, INC.
DELAWARE CHAPTER #0094
COMMANDER’S REPORT
Date: July 18, 2026
From: Commander Rodney L. Little
NABVETS Delaware Chapter #0094
Subject: H.R. 9237 – Take Care of America’s Veterans Act and Proposed Changes to Veterans’ Disability Benefits
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Commander’s Report is to inform veterans, family members, advocates, Veterans Service Officers, and organizational leaders about recent congressional action involving H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act.
The legislation includes numerous provisions intended to improve veterans’ benefits, health care, caregiver assistance, mental-health services, education, military retirement benefits, and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
However, the package also contains proposed changes to VA disability ratings for tinnitus and sleep apnea. These proposed changes created significant opposition among veterans’ organizations, members of Congress, and veteran advocates.
CURRENT STATUS
H.R. 9237 was considered by the United States House of Representatives on July 16, 2026. House leadership withdrew the legislation before a final vote after members raised concerns regarding the method proposed to pay for portions of the package.
The bill has not passed the House and is not currently law.
Congressional leaders may revise the legislation and bring it back for consideration after the congressional summer recess.
OVERVIEW OF H.R. 9237
H.R. 9237 is a large legislative package containing more than 60 veterans-related proposals.
According to the bill summary, the legislation addresses:
• Veterans’ disability compensation.
• Concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation.
• Benefits for surviving spouses and dependents.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
• Family caregiver assistance.
• Veterans’ mental-health treatment and research.
• Suicide-prevention programs.
• Veterans’ education and training benefits.
• The Veterans Community Care Program.
• VA personnel, hiring, infrastructure, and administration.
• Disability-rating criteria for tinnitus and sleep apnea.
The legislation would also establish or expand certain supplemental allowances for disabled veterans and improve access to several VA programs and services.
MAJOR RICHARD STAR ACT
One of the most important provisions within the package is the Major Richard Star Act.
The Star Act is intended to correct an inequity affecting certain combat-injured veterans who were medically retired before completing 20 years of military service.
Under the current system, many of these veterans have their military retirement pay reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of VA disability compensation they receive.
The Star Act would permit qualifying combat-disabled retirees to receive both their earned military retirement pay and their VA disability compensation.
NABVETS supports correcting this longstanding injustice.
Combat-injured veterans should not be forced to surrender earned military retirement pay simply because they also qualify for VA disability compensation resulting from injuries connected to their military service.
CONCERNS REGARDING TINNITUS
Tinnitus is one of the most common service-connected disabilities among veterans.
It frequently results from exposure to:
• Weapons fire.
• Explosions.
• Aircraft engines.
• Heavy military equipment.
• Artillery.
• Combat operations.
• Repeated hazardous military noise.
The proposed legislation would revise the VA rating criteria for tinnitus and could substantially limit the ability of future veterans to receive a separate compensable disability rating for the condition.
Tinnitus can cause significant difficulties, including:
• Constant ringing or buzzing in the ears.
• Sleep disruption.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Anxiety and irritability.
• Communication problems.
• Reduced quality of life.
Congress should not minimize tinnitus merely because the condition may not be visible during a physical examination.
CONCERNS REGARDING SLEEP APNEA
The legislation would also revise the VA disability-rating criteria for sleep apnea.
Under the proposed structure, future veterans whose sleep apnea is successfully controlled through a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, commonly known as a CPAP, could receive a substantially lower rating than veterans receive under the current rating schedule.
This creates a serious fairness concern.
A veteran should not be penalized because prescribed medical treatment helps manage a service-connected condition.
The need for a CPAP machine demonstrates that the underlying medical condition remains present. Treatment may control the symptoms, but it does not necessarily cure the condition.
Sleep apnea may contribute to:
• Chronic fatigue.
• Impaired concentration.
• Cardiovascular complications.
• Hypertension.
• Increased risk of stroke.
• Reduced workplace performance.
• Mental-health difficulties.
• Dangerous daytime sleepiness.
Future veterans should not receive reduced recognition simply because they comply with medically prescribed treatment.
EFFECT ON CURRENTLY RATED VETERANS
Based upon the reported language of the legislation, veterans who already have established disability ratings for tinnitus or sleep apnea would generally be protected from an automatic reduction solely because new rating criteria were enacted.
Nevertheless, the legislation remains concerning because it could affect:
• Servicemembers who develop these conditions in the future.
• Veterans who have not yet filed claims.
• Veterans whose current claims remain pending.
• Veterans who must submit supplemental claims or appeals.
• Veterans seeking increased evaluations.
• Veterans filing secondary service-connection claims.
• Surviving spouses whose future benefits depend upon service-connected disabilities.
Congress must consider not only current beneficiaries but also the next generation of veterans who will live with the consequences of military service.
COMMANDER’S POSITION
NABVETS Delaware Chapter #0094 supports the Major Richard Star Act and the principle of full concurrent receipt for qualifying combat-disabled veterans.
However, we oppose financing deserved benefits for one group of disabled veterans by reducing or restricting disability compensation for another group of veterans.
Veterans’ benefits should not be treated as interchangeable budget offsets.
Congress sent servicemembers into hazardous environments. Congress therefore has a continuing responsibility to provide fair compensation when those servicemembers return with lasting medical conditions.
Our position is clear:
Pass the Major Richard Star Act.
Protect existing and future veterans’ disability benefits.
Remove the proposed tinnitus and sleep-apnea rating reductions from the legislative package.
Identify an alternative funding source that does not reduce compensation for disabled veterans.
RECOMMENDED CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
Congress should take the following actions before reconsidering H.R. 9237:
Remove the proposed changes that would reduce or restrict disability ratings for tinnitus and sleep apnea.
Veterans who have tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep apnea, or related conditions should take the following steps:
• Obtain and maintain copies of all relevant military and civilian medical records.
• Document hazardous noise exposure and other service-related events.
• Obtain medical evidence showing the diagnosis, severity, and functional impact of the condition.
• File an Intent to File when appropriate to preserve a potential effective date.
• Consult an accredited Veterans Service Officer before submitting a claim.
• Avoid paying unaccredited companies that promise guaranteed disability ratings or expedited VA decisions.
• Monitor congressional developments involving H.R. 9237 and any replacement legislation.
Veterans should not file unsupported claims merely because legislation may change. Every claim should be supported by credible service records, medical documentation, lay evidence, and, when necessary, a competent medical nexus opinion.
ORGANIZATIONAL CALL TO ACTION
NABVETS chapters, veterans’ organizations, advocates, and community leaders should contact their United States representatives and senators.
The message should be respectful but direct:
We support the Major Richard Star Act.
We oppose reductions in future tinnitus and sleep-apnea disability compensation.
We reject any proposal that forces disabled veterans to fund benefits for other disabled veterans.
We call upon Congress to pass veterans’ legislation that expands earned benefits without weakening the disability-compensation system.
CONCLUSION
The withdrawal of H.R. 9237 from the House floor provides Congress with an opportunity to correct the legislation.
The Major Richard Star Act addresses a real and longstanding injustice affecting combat-disabled military retirees. It deserves passage.
However, that correction should not come at the expense of veterans suffering from tinnitus, sleep apnea, or other service-connected medical conditions.
NABVETS Delaware Chapter #0094 remains committed to protecting the earned benefits, dignity, health, and financial security of all veterans.
We will continue monitoring this legislation and advocating for a fair solution that keeps America’s promise to those who served.
Respectfully submitted,
Rodney L. Little
Commander
NABVETS Delaware Chapter #0094
Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, Retired
Email: [email protected]
Alternate Email: [email protected]
Website: nabvetsde94.org
DELAWARE CHAPTER #0094
COMMANDER’S REPORT
Date: July 18, 2026
From: Commander Rodney L. Little
NABVETS Delaware Chapter #0094
Subject: H.R. 9237 – Take Care of America’s Veterans Act and Proposed Changes to Veterans’ Disability Benefits
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Commander’s Report is to inform veterans, family members, advocates, Veterans Service Officers, and organizational leaders about recent congressional action involving H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act.
The legislation includes numerous provisions intended to improve veterans’ benefits, health care, caregiver assistance, mental-health services, education, military retirement benefits, and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
However, the package also contains proposed changes to VA disability ratings for tinnitus and sleep apnea. These proposed changes created significant opposition among veterans’ organizations, members of Congress, and veteran advocates.
CURRENT STATUS
H.R. 9237 was considered by the United States House of Representatives on July 16, 2026. House leadership withdrew the legislation before a final vote after members raised concerns regarding the method proposed to pay for portions of the package.
The bill has not passed the House and is not currently law.
Congressional leaders may revise the legislation and bring it back for consideration after the congressional summer recess.
OVERVIEW OF H.R. 9237
H.R. 9237 is a large legislative package containing more than 60 veterans-related proposals.
According to the bill summary, the legislation addresses:
• Veterans’ disability compensation.
• Concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation.
• Benefits for surviving spouses and dependents.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
• Family caregiver assistance.
• Veterans’ mental-health treatment and research.
• Suicide-prevention programs.
• Veterans’ education and training benefits.
• The Veterans Community Care Program.
• VA personnel, hiring, infrastructure, and administration.
• Disability-rating criteria for tinnitus and sleep apnea.
The legislation would also establish or expand certain supplemental allowances for disabled veterans and improve access to several VA programs and services.
MAJOR RICHARD STAR ACT
One of the most important provisions within the package is the Major Richard Star Act.
The Star Act is intended to correct an inequity affecting certain combat-injured veterans who were medically retired before completing 20 years of military service.
Under the current system, many of these veterans have their military retirement pay reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of VA disability compensation they receive.
The Star Act would permit qualifying combat-disabled retirees to receive both their earned military retirement pay and their VA disability compensation.
NABVETS supports correcting this longstanding injustice.
Combat-injured veterans should not be forced to surrender earned military retirement pay simply because they also qualify for VA disability compensation resulting from injuries connected to their military service.
CONCERNS REGARDING TINNITUS
Tinnitus is one of the most common service-connected disabilities among veterans.
It frequently results from exposure to:
• Weapons fire.
• Explosions.
• Aircraft engines.
• Heavy military equipment.
• Artillery.
• Combat operations.
• Repeated hazardous military noise.
The proposed legislation would revise the VA rating criteria for tinnitus and could substantially limit the ability of future veterans to receive a separate compensable disability rating for the condition.
Tinnitus can cause significant difficulties, including:
• Constant ringing or buzzing in the ears.
• Sleep disruption.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Anxiety and irritability.
• Communication problems.
• Reduced quality of life.
Congress should not minimize tinnitus merely because the condition may not be visible during a physical examination.
CONCERNS REGARDING SLEEP APNEA
The legislation would also revise the VA disability-rating criteria for sleep apnea.
Under the proposed structure, future veterans whose sleep apnea is successfully controlled through a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, commonly known as a CPAP, could receive a substantially lower rating than veterans receive under the current rating schedule.
This creates a serious fairness concern.
A veteran should not be penalized because prescribed medical treatment helps manage a service-connected condition.
The need for a CPAP machine demonstrates that the underlying medical condition remains present. Treatment may control the symptoms, but it does not necessarily cure the condition.
Sleep apnea may contribute to:
• Chronic fatigue.
• Impaired concentration.
• Cardiovascular complications.
• Hypertension.
• Increased risk of stroke.
• Reduced workplace performance.
• Mental-health difficulties.
• Dangerous daytime sleepiness.
Future veterans should not receive reduced recognition simply because they comply with medically prescribed treatment.
EFFECT ON CURRENTLY RATED VETERANS
Based upon the reported language of the legislation, veterans who already have established disability ratings for tinnitus or sleep apnea would generally be protected from an automatic reduction solely because new rating criteria were enacted.
Nevertheless, the legislation remains concerning because it could affect:
• Servicemembers who develop these conditions in the future.
• Veterans who have not yet filed claims.
• Veterans whose current claims remain pending.
• Veterans who must submit supplemental claims or appeals.
• Veterans seeking increased evaluations.
• Veterans filing secondary service-connection claims.
• Surviving spouses whose future benefits depend upon service-connected disabilities.
Congress must consider not only current beneficiaries but also the next generation of veterans who will live with the consequences of military service.
COMMANDER’S POSITION
NABVETS Delaware Chapter #0094 supports the Major Richard Star Act and the principle of full concurrent receipt for qualifying combat-disabled veterans.
However, we oppose financing deserved benefits for one group of disabled veterans by reducing or restricting disability compensation for another group of veterans.
Veterans’ benefits should not be treated as interchangeable budget offsets.
Congress sent servicemembers into hazardous environments. Congress therefore has a continuing responsibility to provide fair compensation when those servicemembers return with lasting medical conditions.
Our position is clear:
Pass the Major Richard Star Act.
Protect existing and future veterans’ disability benefits.
Remove the proposed tinnitus and sleep-apnea rating reductions from the legislative package.
Identify an alternative funding source that does not reduce compensation for disabled veterans.
RECOMMENDED CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
Congress should take the following actions before reconsidering H.R. 9237:
Remove the proposed changes that would reduce or restrict disability ratings for tinnitus and sleep apnea.
- Advance the Major Richard Star Act as a stand-alone bill or include it in legislation with a fair and responsible funding mechanism.
- Conduct public hearings with accredited Veterans Service Organizations, medical professionals, disabled veterans, caregivers, and surviving spouses.
- Require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a detailed impact analysis explaining how many current and future veterans could be affected.
- Protect veterans with pending claims, appeals, supplemental claims, and higher-level reviews.
- Ensure that no veteran is penalized merely because prescribed medical treatment helps manage a disabling condition.
- Reject any legislative approach that requires one group of veterans to sacrifice benefits so another group can receive benefits they have already earned.
Veterans who have tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep apnea, or related conditions should take the following steps:
• Obtain and maintain copies of all relevant military and civilian medical records.
• Document hazardous noise exposure and other service-related events.
• Obtain medical evidence showing the diagnosis, severity, and functional impact of the condition.
• File an Intent to File when appropriate to preserve a potential effective date.
• Consult an accredited Veterans Service Officer before submitting a claim.
• Avoid paying unaccredited companies that promise guaranteed disability ratings or expedited VA decisions.
• Monitor congressional developments involving H.R. 9237 and any replacement legislation.
Veterans should not file unsupported claims merely because legislation may change. Every claim should be supported by credible service records, medical documentation, lay evidence, and, when necessary, a competent medical nexus opinion.
ORGANIZATIONAL CALL TO ACTION
NABVETS chapters, veterans’ organizations, advocates, and community leaders should contact their United States representatives and senators.
The message should be respectful but direct:
We support the Major Richard Star Act.
We oppose reductions in future tinnitus and sleep-apnea disability compensation.
We reject any proposal that forces disabled veterans to fund benefits for other disabled veterans.
We call upon Congress to pass veterans’ legislation that expands earned benefits without weakening the disability-compensation system.
CONCLUSION
The withdrawal of H.R. 9237 from the House floor provides Congress with an opportunity to correct the legislation.
The Major Richard Star Act addresses a real and longstanding injustice affecting combat-disabled military retirees. It deserves passage.
However, that correction should not come at the expense of veterans suffering from tinnitus, sleep apnea, or other service-connected medical conditions.
NABVETS Delaware Chapter #0094 remains committed to protecting the earned benefits, dignity, health, and financial security of all veterans.
We will continue monitoring this legislation and advocating for a fair solution that keeps America’s promise to those who served.
Respectfully submitted,
Rodney L. Little
Commander
NABVETS Delaware Chapter #0094
Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, Retired
Email: [email protected]
Alternate Email: [email protected]
Website: nabvetsde94.org
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