Veterans Laws
VA Disability Rates 2027: 3.6% COLA Needs an Act of Congress
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.
15 min read
Veterans Laws News
The latest legal news and analysis on veterans laws.
13 articles
Veterans Laws
Federal Circuit: A VA Board Remand Is Not an Appealable Decision
Two nonprecedential Federal Circuit opinions issued September 14, 2026 restate a 2005 rule: a VA Board remand is not a decision the Veterans Court can review.
12 min read
Veterans Laws
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.
7 min read
Veterans Laws
Federal Circuit: VA Direct Review Means No Guaranteed 90 Days to Argue
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.
10 min read
Veterans Laws
Federal Circuit: VA Flight Training Benefits Still Require a Degree
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.
11 min read
Veterans Laws
VA OIG Finds 34% Error Rate in Disability Rating Cuts
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.
12 min read
Veterans Laws
Federal Circuit Dismisses Veteran's CUE Appeal for Lack of Jurisdiction
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.
11 min read
Veterans Laws
Federal Circuit Bars Judicial Review of Systemic Challenges to 0 Percent VA Ratings
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.
13 min read
Veterans Laws
Miller v. Collins: Federal Circuit Narrows VA Effective-Date Path
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.
10 min read
Veterans Laws
GAO Flags Oversight and Data Risks as VA Explores AI for Disability Claims
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.
6 min read
Veterans Laws
Veterans Benefits Bill (TCAVA) Stalls in the House: Sleep Apnea and Tinnitus Changes Explained
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.
8 min read
Veterans Laws
Freund v. Collins: Proposed VA Disability Appeals Settlement, What Veterans Need to Know
A proposed Freund v. Collins settlement could reopen nearly 93,000 VA disability appeals. Fairness hearing set for August 13, 2026. Not yet final.
8 min read
Veterans Laws
VA Disability Claims Backlog Drops Below 70,000 for First Time Since 2020
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.
7 min read