02/23/2026
***Your VA Rating May be Reduced!***
The VA recently issued a major regulatory update to 38 CFR § 4.10 that changes how disability ratings may be evaluated when a Veteran is receiving treatment or taking medication. In practical terms, VA decision makers may now focus more on how a Veteran functions while treated, rather than only looking at how severe the condition is without treatment.
For many Veterans, this raises real concerns about future rating reductions. Moving forward, medical evidence will need to clearly show the functional limitations that still exist despite treatment, including medication side effects, flare-ups, and the impact on the ability to work and function day to day.
VA has also finalized changes intended to speed up survivor benefits processing. The goal is to reduce delays for surviving spouses and dependents applying for DIC and related benefits, which is a welcome improvement for families navigating an already difficult time.
Another significant policy shift involves the VA fiduciary program. VA announced it will no longer report Veterans to the FBI background check system solely because a fiduciary is appointed. This removes a long-standing concern that discouraged some Veterans from accepting financial assistance when they truly needed support.
Across the country, states are also increasing enforcement against unaccredited claim consulting companies, reinforcing protections for Veterans and helping ensure that those assisting with claims are properly accredited and accountable.
At the same time, quieter updates inside the VA’s M21-1 adjudication manual continue to shape how claims are developed and decided. These internal guidance changes often influence outcomes long before the public notices a formal regulatory change, which is why staying informed matters.
The VA system is constantly evolving. My focus is making sure Veterans understand what these changes mean for them and that their claims are prepared strategically from the start.
Veterans deserve clear guidance, strong advocacy, and representation that keeps pace with the law as it changes.
