Trump’s VA Found a New Way to Cut Disability Compensation for Vets

Rolling Stone

by Ryan Bort

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under President Donald Trump has introduced new rules that significantly alter how disability ratings are determined for veterans, potentially reducing benefits for those who have served in the military. These changes allow the VA to consider factors like medication effects and a veteran’s employment status when evaluating disabilities, marking a departure from decades of established legal precedents. For instance, conditions such as tinnitus can now result in reduced or denied ratings if the VA deems that medication alleviates symptoms. Similarly, veterans who are employed may have their benefits revoked entirely, despite their service-related injuries impacting their quality of life. The new rules reverse a long-standing principle that disability compensation should be based on the severity of the injury itself, not a veteran’s ability to manage symptoms or continue working. This shift is particularly concerning because it undermines the purpose of VA disability ratings, which are meant to acknowledge the lasting impact of service-related injuries and provide financial support accordingly. Previously, courts have ruled that benefits should not be reduced if veterans do not adhere to medical advice, but the updated regulations explicitly aim to minimize the "negative impact" of such decisions. Veterans groups strongly oppose these changes, arguing they erode trust in the VA and undermine decades of legal protections for service members. The VA claims the new rules simply formalize existing practices, but critics argue this is a mischaracterization. Historically, disability ratings have been determined based on the underlying severity of conditions, not temporary symptom relief or employment status. This approach ensured that veterans received compensation regardless of their ability to work or manage symptoms.

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Originally published on Rolling Stone on 2/19/2026