Local advocate weighs in on proposed veterans benefits changes

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act passed in the House and is headed to the Senate. If the bill becomes a law, disability benefits could look different nationwide and in the CSRA.The House decision came on Veterans Day - about four months after the bill was sidelined because of the controversy it caused.What the bill would changeCertain combat-injured veterans who are medically retired could receive both military retirement pay and VA disability compensation under the bill.But the bill could mean less money for future disability claims. For example, Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is the number one service-connected disability for veterans, according to US Medicine. The bill could end separate disability payments for it.Ranking member Mark Takano said in a statement Wednesday that the bill is one of the largest benefits cuts in the nation’s history. He said it could mean a $57 billion cut in disability payments over the next 10 years.The bill says rati