Skip to content

VA Disability News & Updates

Stay current on VA policy changes, compensation rate updates, new legislation, and site updates.

legislation

VA Benefits for Iran War Veterans: What You Need to Know in 2026

Iran war veterans: your guide to VA disability benefits, combat health care, presumptive conditions, and PTSD claims in 2026.

policy

Women Veterans and VA Disability in 2026: MST, Gender-Specific Conditions, and Closing the Evidence Gap

Women are the fastest-growing cohort in the VA disability system, and they now average higher monthly compensation than male veterans. This guide covers the conditions, claim strategies, and MST protections every woman veteran should know.

policy

Is the 10% Tinnitus Rating Going Away? What the Proposed DC 6260 Rule Actually Says

VA's 2022 draft rewrite of 38 CFR § 4.87 would delete Diagnostic Code 6260 and treat tinnitus as a symptom of an underlying condition. Here's the current status, the grandfathering rules, and what to do now.

legislation

Major Richard Star Act: 317 Cosponsors, Still No Passage — Where Concurrent Receipt Stands in 2026

The Major Richard Star Act would eliminate the VA-offset penalty for combat-injured medical retirees with less than 20 years of service. With broad House support but no FY2026 NDAA inclusion, here's the bill's status and what it would change.

policy

VA's Proposed 5-Domain Mental Health Rating System Explained

VA has proposed replacing the long-standing General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders with a five-domain functional-impairment framework. Here's how it would work, who's affected, and what it means for PTSD, depression, and anxiety ratings.

policy

Proposed 2026 VA Sleep Apnea Rating Overhaul: What the Draft Rule Would Change

VA's proposed rewrite of Diagnostic Code 6847 would eliminate the automatic 50% rating for CPAP users and shift sleep apnea evaluations to a treatment-effectiveness standard. Here's what's changing and who is grandfathered.

rates

2026 VA Disability Pay Rates Now Live

The 2026 VA disability compensation rates are now available on VA Disability Hub, reflecting the 2.8% COLA increase effective December 1, 2025.

site update

90% Rating Tier Guide Published

New comprehensive guide covering 90% VA disability rating benefits, monthly compensation, and how to potentially reach 100% through additional claims or TDIU.

site update

Calculator Updated with Shareable URLs

The VA disability calculator now supports shareable URLs and improved bilateral factor calculations. Share your rating breakdown with a single link.

legislation

PACT Act Claims Continue to Drive VA Filing Volume

PACT Act claims remain a major driver of VA disability filings, with more than 1 million veterans and survivors having received compensation under the law.

site update

VA Disability Hub Launches with 130+ Pages of Free Veteran Resources

Introducing VA Disability Hub — free tools, condition guides, claims walkthroughs, and state benefits information for veterans navigating VA disability.

policy

VA Processed More Than 2 Million Disability Claims in FY2025

VA reported processing more than 2 million disability benefits claims in fiscal year 2025, a record pace according to the agency.