VA reverses rule that would have tied disability ratings to medicated functioning

The Department of Veterans Affairs said it will not enforce a rule that rated disabilities based on how veterans function while medicated, and Secretary Doug Collins announced the agency will continue to collect public comments on the proposal.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has halted implementation of a proposed rule that would have based disability compensation on how well veterans function while taking medication. VA Secretary Doug Collins said the rule was intended to clarify policy amid litigation but was widely seen as having potential adverse consequences. The VA announced it will keep the public comment period open while the rule will not be enforced. Key facts: - Secretary Doug Collins announced the department will not enforce the rule and cited concerns raised by veterans and others. - The proposed policy would have rated disabilities based on functioning with medication rather than on the underlying condition. - VA will continue to collect public comments on the proposal even though it has been withdrawn from enforcement. - The rule would have affected ratings assigned during new claims and medical evaluations. Summary: The reversal means current practices for assigning disability ratings remain in place, with evaluations based on the underlying service‑connected conditions rather than medicated functioning. The VA said it will continue collecting public feedback and has stated the rule will not be enforced; further regulatory steps are undetermined at this time.