VFW Commends VA for Listening to Veterans’ Voices and Rescinding Rule

WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) commends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for officially rescinding its interim final rule that would have changed how disability ratings are evaluated, a policy the VFW warned could unfairly reduce benefits for disabled veterans.

Since VA opened the rule for public comment, more than 20,000 comments have been submitted to the Federal Register urging the department to withdraw the policy.

"These last 10 days prove that when our veterans speak, leaders will listen," said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore. "We thank Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins for hearing veterans' concerns and taking meaningful steps to reverse an abrupt policy change that could have had far-reaching unintended consequences for veterans whose medication and other treatments allow them to live day-to-day with their service-connected health conditions."

Last week, the VFW publicly demanded VA rescind the rule change, raising "serious concerns" it threatened the benefits veterans earned through their service.

"The VFW has long maintained that no veteran should ever think they could be penalized for seeking the medical care they need," said Whitmore. "We appreciate VA's willingness to engage with veterans on this critical issue."

While this reversal is a significant step forward, the VFW will continue to work with Congress, VA, and other stakeholders to ensure that future policy changes are developed with full transparency, genuine veteran input and a steadfast commitment to protecting the benefits and well-being of all veterans.