News

We published an earlier article while the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was changing the rules for disability ratings. This update explains what happened next.

Thanks to a reader and Veteran who contacted us to let us know our earlier hadn’t been updated.

Where Things Stand

In February 2026, the VA created a new rule that would have based some disability ratings on how well medication controlled a Veteran’s symptoms, instead of how serious the condition really is.

On February 27, 2026, the VA withdrew that rule, restoring the old standard which is now back in place.[1] A related court case also ended in March 2026, which kept the old standard in place as well.[2]

What This Means for Veterans

Ratings work the way they did before. Your rating is based on how serious your condition is, not on how well medication or treatment controls it day to day.

No ratings were changed. The withdrawn rule did not lower anyone’s rating.

Just as important, taking medication that helps your symptoms does not, by itself, let the VA lower your rating. Feeling better is not the same as being cured. Before your rating can be lowered, the VA must usually:

  • Tell you in writing
  • Explain the reason
  • Give you time to share evidence and ask for a hearing [3]

Have questions or still feel worried about your rating? Call the VA’s benefits line at 1-800-827-1000 to check on your claim or benefits. You can also get free help from a VA-accredited claims representative or a Veterans service organization (VSO).

Learn More

For a plain-language explanation of what protections remain and what the VA must show before lowering a rating, see this overview: https://vaclaimsinsider.com/va-disability-medication-rule/

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1 | Text 838255 | Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Rescission of interim final rule, Evaluative rating: Impact of medication. Federal Register. FR Doc. 2026-03940. Effective February 27, 2026. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/27/2026-03940/rescission-of-interim-final-rule-evaluative-rating-impact-of-medication
  2. National Veterans Legal Services Program. NVLSP achieves major victory for all Veterans using medication to treat musculoskeletal disabilities. Published April 2026. https://nvlsp.org/nvlsp-achieves-major-victory-for-all-veterans-using-medication-to-treat-musculoskeletal-disabilities-va-cannot-award-a-lower-rating-for-those-disabilities-based-on-any-ameliorative-medication-effects/
  3. VA Claims Insider. Can VA reduce my VA rating if medication helps? Updated May 5, 2026. https://vaclaimsinsider.com/va-disability-medication-rule/