VA Updates
VA Rule & Policy Updates
The latest VA regulatory actions that can affect your claim — disability ratings, presumptive conditions, the PACT Act, and toxic exposure — in plain language, pulled straight from the Federal Register.
These updates come directly from the Federal Register, the U.S. government's official record of rules and proposed rules. We summarize and link to the source; we never change what it says. Remember: a proposed rule is not law and you can't claim under it until it's finalized. Always verify current rules at VA.gov and with an accredited VSO.
Final RuleFederal Register · February 27, 2026
Rescission of Interim Final Rule, Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication
VA is rescinding the interim final rule, Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication, published on February 17, 2026, and restoring the prior regulatory text. This rescission is effective immediately upon publication.
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · February 17, 2026
Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends 38 CFR 4.10 within the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). This amendment clarifies VA's longstanding interpretation of Sec. 4.10 and, in doing so, amends the text to correct judicial interpretations that VA has concluded misconstrue the role of medication and…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · January 22, 2026
Clarification of VA's Processing of Survivors Benefits Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its adjudication regulations concerning survivors benefits claims to ensure that VA provides the most beneficial outcome for surviving spouses and children. This final rule clarifies that a surviving spouse or child claimant for either Survivors Pension or dependency and…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · October 1, 2025
Eliminating the Requirement for Laparoscopy To Establish Service Connection for Endometriosis
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to remove the note under diagnostic code (DC) 7629 requiring an endometriosis diagnosis that is confirmed by laparoscopy. This update would ensure the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) continues to align with current medical practice and would expedite the…
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · September 29, 2025
Objective Evidence of Pain for Painful Scars Under DC 7804
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to revise 38 CFR 4.118, diagnostic code (DC) 7804 ("Scar(s), unstable or painful"), by adding a note clarifying that VA still requires objective evidence of pain when rating a scar as painful. The inclusion of this note would align with current policy and ensure…
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · January 10, 2025
Presumptive Service Connection for Leukemias, Multiple Myelomas, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, and Myelofibrosis Due to Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule (IFR) to amend its adjudication regulations to establish presumptive service connection for acute leukemias, chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myelofibrosis due to exposure to Particulate Matter 2.5…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · January 2, 2025
Presumptive Service Connection for Bladder, Ureter, and Related Genitourinary Cancers Due to Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule (IFR) to amend its adjudication regulations to establish presumptive service connection for urinary bladder, ureter, and related genitourinary (GU) cancers due to exposure to Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM<INF>2.5</INF>) and to implement certain…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · December 6, 2024
Amendments to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to revise the regulations that govern VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). This proposed rule explains numerous changes VA is considering making that would primarily impact PCAFC, including, but not limited to, removing, adding, and…
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · November 12, 2024
Changes in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation; Delay of Effective Date From February 16, 2025, Until February 16, 2029
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2023, a final rule to amend its beneficiary travel regulations to establish a new payment methodology for special modes of transportation available through the VA beneficiary travel program. The preamble of that final rule stated…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · November 12, 2024
Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend the portion of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or Rating Schedule) that addresses neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. The purpose of these changes is to incorporate medical advancements that have occurred since the last revision,…
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · October 1, 2024
VA Adjudication Regulations for Disability or Death Benefit Claims Based on Toxic Exposure
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend its adjudication regulations to implement provisions of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act or Act). The statute amended procedures applicable to claims based on toxic exposure…
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · September 25, 2024
Expanded Burial Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its adjudication regulations pertaining to burial benefits to conform to statutory changes enacted by the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 and the Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act of the Consolidated…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · September 12, 2024
Schedule for Rating Disabilities-Ear, Nose, Throat, and Audiology Disabilities; Special Provisions Regarding Evaluation of Respiratory Conditions; Schedule for Rating Disabilities-Respiratory System
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) that proposes to add a diagnostic code (DC) for constrictive bronchiolitis (or obliterative bronchiolitis) (CB) to the regulations that govern the respiratory system.
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · June 17, 2024
Processing Claims Under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise To Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or the Honoring Our Pact Act of 2022
On August 10, 2022, the President signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 (PACT Act) into law, establishing substantial legislative changes in laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · March 20, 2024
Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Digestive System
This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) by revising the portion of the schedule that addresses the Digestive System. The effect of this action is to ensure that the rating schedule uses current medical terminology and provides detailed and updated criteria…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · March 11, 2024
Clarification of VA's Processing of Survivors Benefits Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its adjudication regulations concerning survivors benefits claims. With respect to claims processing, VA proposes to clarify that, if VA determines that a surviving spouse or child is eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), VA would…
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · March 5, 2024
Processing Applications for Health Care, Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise To Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022
This notice informs the public of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implementation of the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which expands health care to three new cohorts of toxic-exposed veterans.
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · February 23, 2024
Updating VA Adjudication Regulations for Disability or Death Benefit Claims Related to Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents
No summary provided by the Federal Register for this action.
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Proposed RuleFederal Register · February 12, 2024
Updating VA Adjudication Regulations for Disability or Death Benefit Claims Related to Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its adjudication regulations relating to exposure to certain herbicide agents to incorporate the provisions of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (the BWN Act), specifically by extending the presumed area of exposure to the offshore waters of the…
This is a proposal, not law yet. Nothing changes for your claim until (and unless) it's finalized. You can't claim under a proposed rule.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Final RuleFederal Register · December 29, 2023
Changes in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation; Delay of Effective Date
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2023, a final rule to amend its beneficiary travel regulations to establish a new payment methodology for special modes of transportation available through the VA beneficiary travel program. The preamble of that final rule stated…
This is a final rule. It's in effect as of its stated date — worth checking if it touches a condition or exposure on your claim.
Read the official document on FederalRegister.gov →
Most recent VA action shown: February 27, 2026. This page refreshes automatically as new rules publish in the Federal Register.