
Executive Order 14426: VA and Military Records Overhaul
Executive Order 14426, signed Sept. 8, 2026, directs VA and the Department of War to share military records and speed benefits and job help for veterans.
13 articles

Executive Order 14426, signed Sept. 8, 2026, directs VA and the Department of War to share military records and speed benefits and job help for veterans.

Federal Circuit ruled Aug. 20, 2026: courts lack jurisdiction to hear claims that a 0% VA rating violates the ten-grade scheme in 38 U.S.C. 1110, 1155.

The Federal Circuit dismissed a veteran's CUE appeal, holding it lacks jurisdiction to review how Roberson was applied to her 2009 PTSD rating and TDIU claim.

Two nonprecedential Federal Circuit opinions issued September 14, 2026 restate a 2005 rule: a VA Board remand is not a decision the Veterans Court can review.

The Federal Circuit held on September 8, 2026 in Brack v. Collins that a veteran in the VA's Direct Review appeal lane cannot demand 90 days to submit argument.

Federal Circuit, Sept. 3, 2026: Loomis v. Collins holds an FAA-approved flight course still needs a college degree program to draw VA education benefits.

A proposed Freund v. Collins settlement could reopen nearly 93,000 VA disability appeals. Fairness hearing set for August 13, 2026. Not yet final.

GAO report GAO-26-109137, released July 10, 2026, finds the VA is exploring AI for disability claims while oversight, training, data, and cybersecurity gaps persist. It changes no veteran's rating.

Fed. Circuit affirmed Aug. 21, 2026: VA's 2006 records rule turns on when records surface, not the original claim date. Miller v. Collins explained.

VA's disability claims backlog fell below 70,000 for the first time since 2020, a 74% drop, but VA told Congress 80% of pending claims are still gathering evidence.

The 2027 Social Security COLA is 3.6 percent, but VA disability compensation does not rise with it automatically. H.R. 8552 has passed neither chamber.

A VA watchdog audit found errors in about 34% of 2024 cases reducing veterans' disability pay, producing at least $16.9 million in improper payments.

A major veterans bill (TCAVA, H.R. 9237) that would restructure VA sleep apnea and tinnitus ratings stalled in the House on July 16, 2026. It is not law. Here is what Section 108 would actually do.