Every VA rule change, tracked in one place.
Rules move slowly and quietly: proposed, commented on, finalized, effective. Most veterans hear about a change months late, or hear a rumor that was never real. This tracker follows the actual pipeline, straight from the Federal Register and eCFR.
Form notices (Paperwork Reduction Act)
These are notices, not rules. VA must publish one whenever it asks OMB to approve, renew, or change a benefits form, and the public may comment on the form's burden and wording. Nothing here changes eligibility or the law; we list them because they involve the forms veterans and survivors actually file.
- Information collection noticeBenefits related Comments close December 1, 2026 (54d left)Agency Information Collection Activity: Residency Verification Report-Veterans and Survivors
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
Published October 2, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits related Comments close October 9, 2026 (1d left)Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Application for Disability Compensation Benefits
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Published September 9, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits related Comments close October 9, 2026 (1d left)Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Application for D.I.C., Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Published September 9, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits relatedAgency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Application for Reinstatement (Insurance Lapsed More Than 6 Months) Government Life Insurance and/or Total Disability Income Provision and Application for Reinstatement of Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) (Insurance Lapsed More than 6 Months)
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Published August 14, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits related Comments close October 13, 2026 (5d left)Agency Information Collection Activity: Mandatory Verification of Dependents
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
Published August 13, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits relatedAgency Information Collection Activity: Income and Asset Statement in Support of Claim for Pension or Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.)
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
Published July 31, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits relatedAgency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Verification of Eligibility for Burial in a National Cemetery
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Published July 10, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits relatedAgency Information Collection Activity: Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 24, 2026.
Published June 25, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits relatedAgency Information Collection Activity: Application for Disability Compensation Benefits
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
Published June 23, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits relatedAgency Information Collection Activity: Application for Reinstatement (Insurance Lapsed More Than 6 Months) Government Life Insurance and/or Total Disability Income Provision and Application for Reinstatement of Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) (Insurance Lapsed More than 6 Months)
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
Published June 17, 2026 - Information collection noticeBenefits relatedAgency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance-Traumatic Injury Protection Program (TSGLI) Application for TSGLIL Benefits and TSGLI Appeal Request Form
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden, and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Published April 29, 2026
The big rating rewrites
VA is modernizing the rating schedule one body system at a time. These are the sections with a proposed rewrite or a recent change. Until a rewrite is final, today's criteria apply, and existing ratings are generally protected.
Proposed rule pending (RIN 2900-AQ72); tinnitus criteria may change if finalized. Current text last amended by the tinnitus rule at 68 FR 25822 (effective June 13, 2003).
Primary sourceProposed rule pending (RIN 2900-AQ72) covering nose, throat, and sleep apnea criteria; current criteria remain in force for every condition rated under 4.97. Respiratory criteria last substantively revised at 61 FR 46720, effective October 7, 1996 (nomenclature change 71 FR 28586, 2006, altered no criteria).
Primary sourceProposed rule pending (RIN 2900-AQ82); current occupational-and-social-impairment formula still applies.
Primary sourceNo December 31, 2026 statutory manifestation deadline. The printed text of 38 CFR 3.317(a)(1) still displays a December 31, 2026 date and a 10 percent threshold, but 38 U.S.C. 1117, as amended by the PACT Act in 2022, provides that a qualifying chronic disability may become manifest to any degree at any time. VA's pending October 2024 proposed rule (RIN 2900-AR75) would conform the regulatory text to the statute. Other service, chronicity, diagnostic, and evidentiary requirements under 3.317 still apply.
Primary sourceThe February 17, 2026 interim rule on medication effects was rescinded effective February 27, 2026. The prior text of 38 CFR 4.10 is restored and current criteria apply to every decision.
Finalized in the last 12 months
- Final ruleBenefits relatedRescission 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.
Published February 27, 2026 · effective February 27, 2026 - Interim final ruleBenefits relatedEvaluative 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 treatment in evaluating functional impairment. Specifically, this amendment clarifies that veterans should be compensated for the actual level of functional impairment they experience and, therefore, that the ameliorative effects of medication should not be estimated or discounted when evaluating the severity of a veteran's disability at the time of the disability examination. This regulation is needed immediately to minimize the negative impact of an erroneous line of cases culminating in the recent decision of Ingram v. Collins, 38 Vet. App. 130 (2025), which could be applied broadly to over 500 separate diagnostic codes, requiring re-adjudications of over 350,000 currently pending claims. This in turn would overburden VA's claims adjudicatory capacity. In addition, Ingram requires VA to retrain all of its medical examiners and adjudicators to make assessments and deci
Published February 17, 2026 · effective February 17, 2026 - Final ruleBenefits relatedClarification 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 indemnity compensation (DIC) is entitled to the greater benefit. Thus, with respect to claims processing, VA will concurrently deny Survivors Pension and award DIC, except where paying Survivors Pension would be more beneficial to the claimant, which will only be the case if the claimant is the veteran's surviving spouse and the claimant's application indicates that the claimant does not have any dependents, is currently in a nursing home, and has applied for or is currently receiving Medicaid.
Published January 22, 2026 · effective February 23, 2026 - Final ruleBenefits relatedApportionments
This final rule amends Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations to limit the circumstances in which benefits will be apportioned and to stop making need-based apportionments. Currently, in limited situations, VA may pay a portion of a VA beneficiary's monetary benefits directly to the beneficiary's dependent, referred to as an apportionment. To qualify, the dependent cannot reside with the beneficiary, must demonstrate financial need, and the apportionment must not cause financial hardship to the beneficiary. VA claims processors, whose expertise is in VA benefits and not in matters related to child or spousal support, decide whether to take monetary benefits from the beneficiary and reallocate the funds to dependents. VA claims processors can take this action without the consent of the beneficiary. These apportionment decisions, which can have significant financial consequences, are based on both parties' self-reported income and self-reported expenses. Unlike State courts, VA has no ability to compel evidence of income and expenses. Allegations of inadequate child or spousal support involve complex issues of family law that are best suited to the expertise and authority of
Published January 9, 2026 · effective February 9, 2026
Proposed in the last 12 months
- Proposed ruleBenefits relatedVeteran Readiness and Employment Program: Improving Development and Delivery of Individualized Rehabilitation Plans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend the regulations pertaining to the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Chapter 31 program to ensure the planning of rehabilitation programs for eligible veterans and dependents is based on information from current treatment providers and not individuals on a panel who never treated the veteran or dependent. Current regulations require consultation with a panel of individuals who are not involved in the direct care or treatment of the veteran or dependent. As such consultation is not statutorily required, VA proposes to eliminate this unnecessary process, which often adds avoidable delays to veterans' access to benefits, and streamline decision-making based on providers who actually know the veteran's needs.
Published May 6, 2026 - Proposed ruleBenefits relatedProviding a Minimum Evaluation for Bradycardia
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to revise diagnostic code (DC) 7009, Bradycardia (Bradyarrhythmia), to provide a minimum 10% evaluation after pacemaker implantation. This revision will allow VA to align DC 7009 with DC 7018, Implantable cardiac pacemakers. VA also proposes to remove Note (1) found under DC 7009.
Published January 30, 2026 - Proposed ruleBenefits relatedLegal Services, General Counsel, and Miscellaneous Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is withdrawing the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2024 (89 FR 88192) and proposed amendments to its regulations governing Legal Services, the Office of General Counsel, and Miscellaneous Claims. VA is withdrawing this proposed rule because of ongoing assessments of agency needs, priorities, and objectives.
Published January 27, 2026
Common questions
A proposed rule is VA asking for public comment on an idea; it does not itself change the governing regulation. A final rule amends the regulation and carries an effective date. Rules are not the only thing that can change a claim, though: an enacted statute or a binding court decision can affect how claims are decided before the corresponding regulatory text is updated, as the PACT Act did for the Gulf War presumptions in 38 CFR 3.317.
Yes. Anyone can submit a comment on regulations.gov before the comment deadline shown on each proposal. VA is required to consider the comments before finalizing a rule.
The Federal Register feed refreshes automatically every week, and section-level watch statuses are reviewed against eCFR. Each entry links to the primary document so you can verify it directly.
Rule changes, translated for humans
When a rule that matters goes final, we explain what it actually changes for your claim, in plain English, in one email.
Writing about VA rulemaking? You are welcome to reference this tracker. Every entry links to the primary Federal Register document, and the recent rule list is downloadable below.