THE VA MEDICATION RULE:
WHAT THEY SAID THEY RESCINDED,
AND WHAT THEY DIDN'T

Published April 14, 2026 · All facts verified from Federal Register primary sources

⚠️ URGENT

Comment Deadline: April 20, 2026 — 5 Days Left

The original rule is still open for public comment. Go to regulations.gov/document/VA-2026-VBA-0067-0001 and click Comment.

20,880

Public Comments in 10 Days

$100M+

Per Year in Compensation at Risk

10 Days

Rule Was Active Before Rescission

WHAT HAPPENED

On February 17, 2026, the VA published an "interim final rule" — effective immediately, no public comment — that changed how disability ratings are calculated. The rule said: if your medication is controlling your symptoms, your rating should reflect how you feel with the medication, not how bad your condition actually is.

A veteran with severe PTSD whose medication keeps them functional could have their rating reduced from 70% to 30% — a difference of roughly $1,500/month in tax-free compensation.

After 20,880 public comments in under two weeks, VA Secretary Collins announced a "rescission" on February 27, 2026. But the rescission notice contains a critical sentence.

THE FINE PRINT

"This action does not resolve the legal questions now before the courts; it simply restores prior regulatory text to maintain stability."

— VA Rescission Notice, 91 FR 9712, February 27, 2026

The VA is NOT saying the rule was wrong. The Ingram v. Collins court case is still active. The VA could reinstate this rule through a future rulemaking — this time with a comment period to legitimize it.

WHAT'S STILL AT RISK

Legal question unresolved: Ingram v. Collins is still in the courts. The ruling on 'baseline severity' without medication has not been reversed.

VA's position unchanged: The rescission explicitly says the VA is not resolving the underlying legal question. The same rule could return.

Rule still in Federal Register: Rescinded rules remain in the public record. The original rule (91 FR 7118) can be cited and used as a basis for future action.

Comment period still open: The public comment period on the original rule was open until April 20, 2026. Your comment still matters.

WHAT VETERANS CAN DO NOW

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Get your doctor to document your disability as it exists WITHOUT medication — even if you are currently medicated. This could be critical if the legal question is resolved against veterans.

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If you are in the middle of a claim or re-evaluation, contact a VSO (Veterans Service Organization) immediately for free claims assistance.

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DEADLINE APRIL 20, 2026: Submit your comment at regulations.gov/document/VA-2026-VBA-0067-0001 — click the green Comment button and write what this rule would mean for you personally. Plain English is powerful. Your comment becomes part of the permanent federal record.

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Check your current rating status at VA.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 (DAV).

FREE HELP FOR VETERANS

DAV

dav.org · 1-800-827-1000

VFW

vfw.org

American Legion

legion.org

VA.gov

1-800-698-2411

Verified Primary Sources

• Federal Register 91 FR 7118 (Feb 17, 2026) — Original Rule• Federal Register 91 FR 9712 (Feb 27, 2026) — Rescission Notice• DAV Statement — VA Secretary Collins halted implementation (Feb 19, 2026)• Regulations.gov — RIN 2900-AS49 Public Comments• House Veterans Affairs Committee Democrats — Takano Statement (Nov 4, 2025)

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