Veterans Protest New VA Disability Rule
Veterans groups are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to rescind a new regulation that puts disability compensation ratings in limbo, the Army Times reports. The change highlights the ongoing complexities and evolution of benefits regulations that affect large populations.
- The new VA regulation, an interim final rule that took effect on February 17, would base disability ratings on a veteran's level of functioning while on medication, rather than the underlying severity of their condition. This change could lead to lower disability ratings and reduced compensation for veterans who are managing their conditions with prescribed treatments. - The VA argued the rule was a "clarification of longstanding practice" dating to 1958 and was necessary to override court precedents, such as the 2025 *Ingram v. Collins* ruling, which the agency called an "erroneous interpretation." Without the new rule, the VA claimed it would face re-adjudicating over 350,000 pending claims. - Major veterans' organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the American Legion, immediately denounced the rule. They argued it would unfairly penalize veterans for seeking and following medical advice, potentially forcing them to choose between their health and their earned benefits. - The regulation was implemented as an "interim final rule" with immediate effect, bypassing the standard 60-day congressional review and public comment period, a move the VA justified by citing emergency authority. This rapid implementation was a key point of contention for veterans' groups. - In response to the widespread backlash, VA Secretary Doug Collins announced on February 19 that the department was halting enforcement of the rule and that it would "not be enforced at any time in the future." - Despite the halt in enforcement, the rule has not been formally rescinded and remains in the Federal Register. Lawmakers and veterans' groups are now pushing for the regulation to be fully withdrawn to prevent its future implementation. - A federal lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit by law firms representing veterans, asking the court to vacate the rule. The petition argues that the regulation causes direct financial harm to veterans by improperly lowering their disability ratings and compensation. - The public comment period for the interim final rule remains open until April 20, and by late February, over 18,000 comments had already been submitted.
