Eligible combat disability retirees would receive retirement and VA disability pay

Eligible military disability retirees would receive retirement pay alongside VA disability payments. Retirees must qualify for both payments for the same month and meet the military's combat-related disability rules. For those with less than 20 years of service, retirement pay would be capped at the lesser of their disability retirement amount or the amount calculated using 20 years. Career retirees whose combat-related disabilities fall outside the referenced qualifying category would receive retirement pay based on service. The payment rules would apply to months beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

VA would pay a monthly supplement to certain disabled veterans and apply special increases to specified surviving-spouse payments. The survivor rule would apply to payments under section 1311(a)(1) and (3). The $833.33 supplement would cover veterans eligible for the personal care allowances listed in section 1114(r) or (t). When Social Security benefits receive a cost-of-living increase, the specified surviving-spouse payments would rise by that percentage plus one percentage point. Both provisions would apply to months beginning on or after December 1, 2026; the special survivor rule would end after its third increase.

VA would use specified disability ratings for sleep apnea and tinnitus claims. The rules would apply to claims filed after enactment. Sleep apnea without symptoms would receive 0%, with or without treatment; incomplete relief from treatment would receive 10%. A 50% rating would require ineffective treatment or inability to use prescribed treatment because of another condition, with no organ damage. A medical provider must find that the other condition directly hinders or prevents treatment. A 100% rating would require organ damage. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, would receive a separate 10% rating only when linked to service-related hearing loss that otherwise earns no disability payment.

VA would send eligible veterans notices about outside care and explain denials. These notices would concern VA-paid care from providers outside VA. Eligibility notices would be required only at the start of each course of care. Denial notices would explain the reason and how to appeal through VA's health care review process. Veterans could opt out of either notice. VA could send notices electronically. The eligibility deadline would start when VA knows the veteran seeks care and qualifies. The denial deadline would start when VA denies the request.

VA would provide eligible primary caregivers with health coverage after leaving its program and help them prepare for work. These provisions would cover people designated as primary caregivers in VA's caregiver program who qualify for the relevant assistance. Health coverage would continue for 180 days after discharge from the caregiver program. Employment help would include up to $1,000 over a lifetime for necessary certification or license renewal fees, free VA training modules for continuing education, and access to existing employment resources as VA considers appropriate. The 180-day protections would not apply when VA revoked the caregiver's designation for fraud, abuse, mistreatment, or other misconduct. Employment help would be available during participation and for 180 days after participation ends.