1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I’m writing to urge you to oppose the Department of Veterans Affairs' new interim final rule titled "Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication," which It fundamentally changes how disability compensation is determined for veterans. This rule requires disability ratings to be based on how well a veteran functions while taking medication, rather than on the underlying impairment itself. Although Trump’s VA has opened a public comment period running through April 20, but this unnecessarily expedited process effectively shuts out veterans from providing meaningful input before the rule takes effect. The Disabled American Veterans organization has expressed alarm at this approach, and I share their concerns about the lack of proper stakeholder engagement. This rule creates a dangerous incentive for veterans to stop taking prescribed medication to maintain their disability compensation. Retired Army Colonel and physician Charles Garbarino, who served three tours in Iraq, warned that veterans prescribed medication for service-related medical problems will cut it off rather than lose compensation. He’s expressed particular concern about veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder who may spiral into depression and become suicidal if they choose to end their medication to maintain the same benefit level. The rule affects all body systems, including cardiovascular, digestive, musculoskeletal, and mental health conditions. While the VA claims this formalizes longstanding policy, veterans and advocacy groups call it an erosion of benefits. The VA issued this amendment in response to the 2025 Ingram v. Collins ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, which required the VA to disregard medication's ameliorating effects when determining disability levels for musculoskeletal conditions. Rather than comply with the court's interpretation, the VA is attempting to circumvent it through this rule. I urge you to take action to block this rule and protect veterans who have already sacrificed so much in service to our country. Thank you.