Disability Rating

Average VA disability payments rose nearly 40% in past 14 years, study finds

An analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation since 2010 found that the average annual payments to veterans climbed by nearly 40% while the percentage of veterans who receive..

Divisive veterans benefits bill stalls in the House

A controversial veterans benefits bill that is estimated to reduce future disability ratings by nearly $60 billion over a decade to pay for expanded compensation hit a speed bump on Thursday.

GOP lawmakers seek review of VFW’s claims authority amid veterans cartoon controversy

Two Republican House members have asked Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to review the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ authorization to help veterans file disability claims following the group’s use.

VA claims backlog drops below 70,000 for first time in six years

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability claims backlog dropped below 70,000 this week for the first time in six years, a milestone the VA hasn’t seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

VA uses hundreds of AI systems. Veterans may not know when they’re involved.

The Department of Veterans Affairs currently has 367 documented artificial intelligence use cases supporting everything from medical appointments and disability claims to customer service and records.

Combined Disability Ratings: The VA Math No One Explains

If you have multiple service-connected disabilities, you’ve probably done the mental math: A 50 percent rating plus a 30 percent rating should equal 80 percent. It does not.

House to vote on landmark bill that boosts DOD and VA benefits for some while cutting others

The U.S. House will consider legislation this week that would give medically retired veterans both full military retirement pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation, as well as allow...

A new veterans bill includes Major Richard Star Act but cuts benefits for 1.5 million to fund it

Congressional Republicans introduced a nearly 600-page veterans benefits package on June 10 that would end a longstanding pay offset for combat-injured veterans but would cut disability compensation..

Veterans face higher hurdles in military sexual trauma claims, report finds

Veterans who apply for disability compensation related to sexual assault in the military face higher standards for proving related injuries, resulting in lower approval ratings and increased risk of..

New in the VA Health and Benefits Mobile App: View your benefit overpayment debt details

Veterans who have a benefit overpayment debt can now view debt balances and details related to disability compensation, pension, and education benefits debt using the VA Health and Benefits mobile...

VA denies military sexual trauma claims more often than combat injuries

Veterans seeking to file disability claims related to military sexual trauma are “more likely” to be denied by the Department of Veterans Affairs than those whose claims are for combat injuries,...

PTSD VA Ratings: What You Need to Know

Veterans who experienced certain traumatic events during their service may be able to receive disability compensation in the form of non-taxed monthly payments, as well as free health care, including.

Unaccredited VA claims company charged veteran $21,000 in violation of federal law, judge rules

A company violated federal law for acting as a vetted agent and charging veterans fees to help file disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs, a North Carolina court ruled this week.

New law to increase veteran disability payments is business as usual

Veterans with a disability rating might have seen the news that a new bill in the Senate would increase their disability payments.

Hiring, Overtime, and AI: VA Is Processing Veterans’ Disability Claims Faster Than Ever

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This Is How Veterans Can Receive Benefits for Military Sexual Trauma-Related Conditions

Many victims of military sexual trauma live with the consequences for years or decades before learning that they may be eligible for VA disability compensation and free health care for conditions...

VA Formally Rescinds Medication Disability Rating Rule After Nationwide Veteran Backlash

The Department of Veterans Affairs reversed course on a new disability rating rule in February 2026, and it happened fast.

California Just Cracked Down on VA Claim Sharks. Here’s What Every Veteran Needs to Know.

On February 10, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law making California the latest state to ban unaccredited private companies from charging veterans for help with their VA disability claims.

VA’s review of disability claims for fraud won’t include past filings, officials say

The Department of Veterans Affairs is developing a tool that will analyze veterans’ disability claims applications for fraud — a program VA officials say could identify providers or companies that...

VA responds to worries about new focus on ‘telltale signs’ of fraud

The Department of Veterans Affairs officials say they are developing a tool to scan documents veterans submit to prove that they qualify for disability compensation for “telltale signs” of fraud.

How denied VA mental health care led to the Church of Scientology

L. Ron Hubbard, a Navy veteran, filed for disability claims and was denied—something he attributes to his going off the deep end and eventually founding the most balls crazy religion west of the...

VA rescinds decision that could have lowered veterans’ disability rating

A week after the Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule that would have lowered disability compensation for millions of military veterans, the VA announced Thursday it is...

VA to formally rescind controversial disability ratings rule

A regulation that would have required Veterans Affairs medical examiners to include the effects of medication in assigning disability ratings is expected to be rescinded formally on Feb. 27.

Federal Lawsuit Challenges VA’s New Rule on Medication-Based Disability Ratings

Vets to VA: Formally rescind new disability ratings rule

Veterans and lawmakers want the Department of Veterans Affairs to rescind a regulation published Feb. 17 that would have VA required medical examiners to consider the effectiveness of treatments or...

VA Won’t Enforce New Rule on Disability Ratings, Secretary Says. Congress Members Want It Rescinded

The VA backed down on its new disability rating rule—but didn’t rescind it

An unprecedented flood of outrage from veterans groups, lawmakers, and individual veterans led the Department of Veterans Affairs to reverse course Thursday on a controversial regulation that would...

VA halts implementation of controversial disability rating rule following backlash

The Department of Veterans Affairs has retreated from enforcing a controversial regulation it rolled out Tuesday that required medical examiners to factor in the effects of medication when weighing...

VA pauses new disability rule 2 days after announcing it

The Department of Veterans Affairs has reversed course on a controversial new rule that could lower veterans’ disability ratings if medications or treatment reduce the daily effects of...

Vietnam vet, law firms file suit over new VA ruling on disability rating exams

A Vietnam veteran who has appealed his Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating has asked the courts to review a VA rule published Tuesday that requires medical examiners to factor in the...

New VA Rule Ties Disability Ratings to Medicated Symptoms, Drawing Fire From Veterans Groups

VA to consider medical management of symptoms in determining disability ratings

Veterans Affairs medical examiners are now required to consider the effects of medication on a veteran’s health condition when assigning a disability rating under a new regulation published Tuesday...

New VA rule could lower veterans’ disability rating if medication improves their symptoms

Veterans will have their disability compensation evaluated based on whether their prescribed medication or treatment improves their illness or injury, according to a new federal rule.

2026 VA Disability Rates: What the 2.8% Increase Means for Your Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for disability compensation rates, effective December 1, 2025.

A new VA disability rule may lower millions of veteran disability ratings

On Feb. 17, the Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule that changes one deceptively simple question at the heart of disability exams.

DAV statement on VA Interim Final Rule concerning disability ratings and medication

DAV is extremely disappointed and alarmed by VA’s decision to issue an Interim Final Rule today that could potentially reduce disability compensation for millions of disabled veterans.

Here’s Why January Is the Best Time to File Your VA Disability Claim

Veterans Often Overlook These VA Disability Claims: Secondary Conditions Explained

Thousands of Veterans Affected by PACT Act Disability Claim Errors: What You Need to Know

April 2025 – Thousands of veterans across the country may have been underpaid on their disability compensation due to a critical error in how the Department of Veterans Affairs processed PACT Act...