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Veterans Assistance Commission cites large benefit payouts and warns of VA rating changes
Summary
Krista Hammer summarized December outreach and year-end benefits for veterans, highlighted a six-figure retroactive VA award, and warned that pending VA rating-rule changes could affect tinnitus, sleep apnea and mental-health claims.
Krista Hammer, representing the LaSalle County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC), told the board that December and January outreach included holiday events at the veterans home, delegate-form updates and training for VAC board members.
Hammer described statewide VAC reporting that the 36 reporting county VACs brought in about $132 million in benefits for veterans and their families last year. She also recounted a local case in which a veteran received a retroactive award of more than $200,000 and an ongoing monthly benefit of about $4,000 after a multi-year appeals process.
Hammer summarized federal developments affecting veterans' claims. She said recently added presumptive conditions for Gulf War and post‑9/11 veterans — including several cancers and blood disorders — may allow service connection for qualifying veterans. She warned that proposed changes to VA rules could make it harder to receive ratings for sleep apnea and could remove tinnitus as a stand‑alone compensable condition unless coupled with bilateral hearing loss.
Hammer said VAC outreach includes weekly satellite office days in Mendota, Streator and Marseilles and twice-weekly service in Peru, and that the commission provides in‑office programming such as a free Native American flute group for veterans' mental-health support.
The commission's report was accepted by the board; a motion to approve the report was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.
