[Update 2/28/2026:  The VA has apparently taken down the page to comment on the VA rule discussed in my article below.  The rule is now dead in the water but I don't expect for a minute that it will not be brought back in the future as the VA strives to degrade services to veterans and reduce disability payments to those whom Lincoln had in mind with these words, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” ]

A sleazy rule regarding disability benefits has been proposed by the Veteran's Adminstration. The new rule will require medical personnel to consider the effects of treatment on a veteran's level of disability and the amount of their disability benefits. In other words, Veterans' disability benefits are to be calculated not according to their underlying condition, but on how well the veteran functions with medication or other treatment (prosthetics, appliances, etc). Two days after the promulgation of this rule, the Director of the VA, Doug Collins, walked back the proposal's implementation due to the uproar it caused among veterans. However, the rule remains in effect as an ever-present threat to all veterans: We (the VA) will come for you later.  

Six million veterans are currently receiving disability compensation, many of whom are on at least one medication, according to Disabled American Veterans. "No veteran should ever have to worry that taking medications they need due to their illnesses and injuries could result in the reduction of their benefits,” according to Coleman Nee, the organization’s head. (Source: The Hill)

Amid this manufactured and totally unecessary folderol on the part of the VA, the commenting on the rule continues until April 20th. Whether a veteran has a disability now, or may have a disability in the future, it is imperative that the VA be made aware of the insanity of this shameful rule. [This government site has been made available to the public for commenting.] You do not have to be a veteran to comment. If you know a veteran, I urge you to pass this information to that individual immediately. 

The rule must be totally eliminated now and from any future consideration. Writing to your congressional representative will also go a long way toward getting rid of the rule for good. [Find your representative here and follow the links to his/her website to send a comment.]  Be sure to mention this as the subject of your comments: Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication Department of Veterans Affairs 38 CFR Part 4.