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VFW says new federal rule could lower disability compensation for millions of veterans
VA Secretary Doug Collins halted a rule allowing disability ratings to be lowered if medication reduces impairment after nearly 10,000 public comments raised concerns.
- The VA on February 17 issued an interim final rule titled `Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication` that amended section 4.10 to evaluate disabilities based on actual functional impairment while on medication.
- Responding to Ingram v. Collins and Jones v. Shinseki , VA officials argued these rulings force speculative unmedicated baselines and create burdens that risk widespread disruption.
- Data from the agency shows the rule's reach could affect more than 6 million veterans, over 500 diagnostic codes, and require re-adjudication of over 350,000 pending claims, with a $100 million impact.
- Lawyers and veterans filed lawsuits and petitions as the rule applies immediately to new claims, pending claims, requests for increased ratings, and scheduled reexaminations, with a public comment period through April 20.
- Advocates and clinicians warn the rule may discourage veterans from taking prescribed medications, risking health harms for PTSD, while congressional scrutiny and calls for hearings are expected.
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16 Articles
16 Articles
Military Times+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Vietnam vet, law firms file suit over new VA ruling on disability rating exams
A Vietnam veteran has filed suit over a VA rule that requires medical examiners to factor in a medication's effects when determining a disability rating.
·Vienna, United States
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A New VA Rule Might Drop Veterans’ Disability Rating if Medication Improves Their Symptoms
Summary and Key Points: Effective February 17, 2026, the VA’s interim final rule, “Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication,” directs examiners to evaluate disabilities based on “actual functional impairment” under treatment. -This effectively overrides court precedents like Jones v. Shinseki and Ingram v. Collins, which previously protected veterans from rating reductions due to medication effectiveness. -Major […] The post A New VA Rule Might D…
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Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
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C 75%
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