Taking Care of Your Health Should Not Cost You the Benefits You Earned.

On February 17, 2026, the VA issued a new rule saying that during C&P exams, veterans will generally be rated based on what their condition looks like while taking medication. The VA says this change is tied to a recent court decision (the Ingram decision in March), but the bigger picture is important.

For years, the law has required the VA to evaluate many conditions without factoring in how much medication improves symptoms, unless the rating criteria specifically allowed it. In reality though, the VA hasn’t always followed that rule correctly. So while this new regulation is significant, many veterans were already being rated in a way that didn’t fully follow the prior legal standard.

That doesn’t mean this change isn’t important. How a condition is rated can directly impact monthly compensation, eligibility for other benefits, and long-term financial stability.

What’s equally concerning is how quickly this rule went into effect. The VA made it effective almost immediately, with very little time for public comment. When changes affect earned benefits, veterans deserve transparency and a real opportunity to weigh in. That was not given in this case. A legal challenge to this new rule has already been filed in federal court.

If you want your voice heard, you can submit comments directly to the VA here: Regulations.gov

If you have questions about how this could affect your claim or rating, it’s important to get reliable guidance before making decisions. Your benefits were earned and deserve careful protection.