Veterans Alarmed By Sudden Change to Disability Rating Process
On Saturday, the Veterans Administration (VA) made changes to how the VA will issue disability ratings. The changes mean that disability ratings will now be based on how a veteran manages their disability with medication or treatment, without accounting for how severe it would be without that relief. This radical change will negatively impact tens of thousands of veterans.
This change increases the risk of underrating veterans, as some treatments mask symptoms but do not resolve the underlying disability. This is particularly true when medication can materially change exam findings. Under this new rule, veterans who take medication for debilitating back pain may now be rated as having a mild issue simply because of their treatment. Before this, the VA has focused on the veteran’s “worst days,” and not let medication blur how severe the flare-ups and limitations really are.
Even more alarming, the VA is fast-tracking this rule through without public discourse, rather than using the normal notice-and-comment process.
“This rule is very broad and seriously risks underrating veterans who have disabilities medications can mask but do not fix,” said retired Marine LtCol Joe Plenzler, combat veteran and Unite for Veterans spokesperson. “The claim that quick action on this issue is required shows the degree to which the VA is putting its administrative needs ahead of veterans’ needs and the realities of their lives. This is the wrong emphasis.”
The Unite for Veterans Coalition urges the administration to rescind this rule and follow prior court rulings on this matter. Veterans and the public who wish to make their opinions known on this rule should consider commenting during this 60-day period and speak out to protect the healthcare that veterans earned through their service.
You can submit your comments here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/VA-2026-VBA-0067-0001/comment
For press contact, please email: info@unite4vets.org
Are you interested in our work? Please join our mailing list to learn more.
