The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reversed a rule that would have tied financial benefits for disabled veterans to the impact of medical treatment on their disabilities, following intense backlash from veterans’ organizations and lawmakers. The rule, which had been announced on Monday and was set to take effect immediately, would have required VA examiners to consider how much medication alleviates a veteran’s disability when determining financial assistance. This could have allowed the VA to argue that a veteran is less disabled due to treatment, thereby reducing their financial benefits.

Concerns Over Health and Financial Stability

The proposed rule sparked immediate criticism from veteran advocacy groups, including Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and VoteVets. VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore expressed concern, stating, ‘Disabled veterans should never be forced to choose between following their doctor’s orders and protecting their earned benefits.’ She called the interim rule a threat to the stability of veterans’ financial security.

Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy pilot and Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey, shared concerns from veterans who said they were considering stopping their medication to protect their financial benefits. ‘They’re worried about their disability ratings getting impacted,’ Bennett said in a video posted on X. ‘If you are diagnosed with cancer and you are getting chemotherapy, you still have cancer.’

Army combat veteran and advocate Kristofer Goldsmith echoed these concerns, noting that some veterans might opt to suffer the full effects of conditions like PTSD to avoid financial hardship. ‘In the minds of some veterans, it’s worth suffering the full effects of PTSD or another illness, rather than put your family at a financial disadvantage,’ Goldsmith said during an interview with CNN.

Legal Context and VA’s Defense

The VA’s rule was introduced in response to a court ruling last year that required the department to consider ‘baseline severity’ without medication when determining financial benefits. The VA characterized the ruling as an ‘erroneous interpretation’ and argued that it would lead to an ‘overall increase in compensation expenditures based on a disability level that veterans are not actually experiencing.’

VA Secretary Douglas A. Collins stated on X that the rule would no longer be enforced but remained open for public comment. ‘While VA does not agree with the way this rule has been characterized, the department always takes Veterans’ concerns seriously,’ Collins wrote.

The VFW released a statement applauding the VA for reversing the rule. ‘We are appreciative of the Secretary’s decision in hearing the message of the VFW, our partner organizations, and our nation’s veterans, family members, and survivors,’ the VFW said in a statement to CNN. ‘VFW is eager to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop an equitable resolution.’

Continued Criticism from Lawmakers

Despite the reversal, some lawmakers, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), remained critical of the VA for even proposing the rule. Duckworth stated on X, ‘You’re backtracking because you know this new rule could hurt our heroes’ access to care, and Veterans across the country called you on your bullsh*t. If you take Veterans’ concerns seriously, you’d rescind the rule entirely.’

Duckworth criticized the VA for seeking to reduce spending on veterans’ care, emphasizing that the U.S. expects service members to risk their lives but then fails to provide adequate support for the long-term effects of their service. ‘It’s just bonkers to me that the VA is looking for ways to spend less on helping veterans deal with the impact their service has had on their physical and mental health,’ she said.

Bennett and other critics expressed concern about the VA’s direction under the Trump administration. ‘While I’m glad the VA walked back the rule, the fact that they implemented it in the first place is not a good sign for how the VA will continue to operate under the Trump administration,’ Bennett said.

The VA is now under pressure to ensure that future policies do not place veterans in a position where they must choose between their health and their financial stability. The department faces an upcoming deadline to finalize new guidelines on disability ratings, which could influence how benefits are calculated moving forward.