El Paso veterans officials urge public comments on VA interim rule that could change disability ratings
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Summary
County and advisory board members urged veterans to submit comments by April 20 on a new VA interim final rule that they said could lead to lower disability ratings if treatment improves functioning; officials warned the change could cause confusion and encouraged outreach to help veterans file remarks.
Antoinette Hunt, El Paso County veteran service officer, urged veterans to submit formal comments to a new Department of Veterans Affairs interim final rule she said could change how disability ratings are evaluated.
"The interim final rule basically says ... if you are being treated for a disability and the medication is working, they're going to rate you medicated," Hunt said, and added that the county has "60 days to present comments." She told the committee the county plans to circulate a link to the Federal Register/regulations.gov page and urged veterans to use local veteran organizations to help submit remarks.
Why it matters: Committee members said the rule could trigger anxiety among veterans whose ratings and compensation could be reviewed. Hunt described scenarios in which improved functioning from therapy or medication could prompt a re-examination and potential reduction in a prior rating, especially for those below 100% permanent evaluations.
Don Brown, District 6 member, warned of other possible effects: "If this does pass ... the VA doctors could potentially abuse drugs in order to also lower those veterans' points as well," he said, urging vigilance in how policy changes are implemented and communicated.
Melissa Harkrow, a committee participant, asked whether VA officials could comment directly. VA staff on the call deferred technical policy responses to Veterans Benefits Administration experts but reiterated that the public comment period is open and that veterans should make their voices heard.
Next steps: Hunt said the comment period closes April 20 and asked members to help circulate the comment link. Committee members agreed to include the notice in outreach channels so veterans who lack familiarity with regulations.gov can submit comments through local posts and veteran service organizations.
The committee did not take a formal policy vote on the rule; members focused on outreach and helping veterans weigh in during the Federal Register comment period.