On August 24, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims issued an important precedential decision in Hoffman v. Collins, No. 24-7834, addressing how VA may apply an Intent to File (ITF) when a veteran has multiple claims pending. An ITF can protect an earlier effective date if the veteran files a completed claim within […]
Disabled Veterans May Be Eligible to Have Their Federal Student Loans Forgiven
Many veterans are aware of disability compensation available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but far fewer know that a qualifying VA disability rating may also make them eligible to have their federal student loans completely discharged. Through the federal Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge Program, many disabled veterans can eliminate eligible federal […]
House Passes Veterans Benefits Expansion Act: What It Could Mean for Veterans and Survivors
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026. While the bill is not yet law, it represents a significant effort to increase financial support for some of the nation’s most severely disabled veterans and surviving military families. Before any changes can take effect, […]
The VA Just Changed How Disability Benefits Can Be Shared. Here’s What It Means
The VA quietly rolled out a pretty significant change to how disability benefits can be shared with dependents, and it’s one that could catch a lot of veterans and families off guard. As of February 9, 2026, the VA is stepping back from something called “apportionment,” which is when part of a veteran’s monthly benefits […]
VA’s Proposed Interim Final Rule on Medication Effects: What Veterans Need to Know
The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a proposed interim final rule addressing how adjudicators may consider the ameliorative effects of medication when assigning disability ratings. The proposal appears to respond directly to the Court’s decision in Ingram v. McDonough and related precedent. Because this issue affects how a wide range of service-connected conditions are evaluated, the […]
VA Extends Presumptive Period for Persian Gulf War Veterans Benefits Through 2026
In late October of 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced an important update for Persian Gulf War Veterans seeking disability benefits related to chronic, unexplained illnesses. The VA extended the presumptive period for certain conditions until December 31, 2026. This change helps ensure that veterans whose conditions arise after the previous cutoff date are not […]
New Year New VA Claim: What Veterans Should Review and Revisit in 2026
The start of a new year is often when veterans take stock of their health, finances, and future. It is also an ideal time to review VA disability benefits. Many veterans assume their ratings are final simply because years have passed. In reality, VA benefits are not static, and many conditions worsen over time in ways the VA […]