The Department of Veterans Affairs has halted the enforcement of an interim final rule that would have changed how disability ratings for veterans are determined.
The new rule would have reversed the previous standard established in the 2025 Ingram v. Collins case, which required VA to discount the impact of medication when evaluating the severity of a claimant's disability.
The rule, “Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication,” was published on Feb. 17 in the Federal Register. It immediately changed how disability compensation ratings are determined and directed VA examiners to rate a veteran's disability based on how well they function while taking medication, rather than the severity of the underlying condition itself - sparking intense backlash from Veterans Service Organizations and advocacy groups.
“As a former Army nurse, it seems this rule change could have unforeseen and harmful public scrutiny and possible downstream effects for veterans, which is why it demands serious legislative clarification from Capitol Hill,” said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore in a statement before VA Secretary Doug Collins halted its enforcement on Feb. 19.
In a statement on X, Collins said the rule was issued to clarify existing policy and protect veterans’ benefits in the wake of an ongoing court action.
“But many interpreted the rule as something that could result in adverse consequences,” he said.
Collins added that VA does not agree with the way the rule was characterized, but always takes veterans’ concerns seriously.
“To alleviate these concerns, VA will continue to collect public comments regarding the rule, but it will not be enforced at anytime in the future,” he said.
In a statement, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said he was encouraged by Collins’s move to halt the enforcement of the rule while calling for it to be permanently rescinded.
“This proposed policy would do nothing but reduce the compensation veterans are due, and scare them into avoiding the life-improving medication they need – harming their physical and mental health,” he said. “I will be introducing legislation to align VA policy with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims’ ruling that a veteran’s disability rating must be strictly based on that veteran’s underlying condition.”
“No veteran should ever have to worry that taking medications they need due to their illnesses and injuries should result in the reduction of their benefits,” said DAV National Commander Coleman Nee in a statement applauding VA’s decision halting enforcement of the rule .
The public comment period for the new rule will remain open through April 20, and, so far, in excess of 10,000 comments have been submitted.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.