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The VA revised M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section A to align secondary service connection and aggravation rules with the holding in Spicer v. McDonough. If you have a non-service-connected condition worsened by a service-connected one, this update affects how your claim gets decided.
The VA amended 38 CFR 14.636, the rule governing payment of fees to accredited agents and attorneys representing veterans before Agencies of Original Jurisdiction and the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The substantive change took effect April 1, 2025. Here's what it means for your claim.
The VA finalized a substantive amendment to 38 CFR 3.17, the regulation defining wartime service periods for pension eligibility, with an effective date of February 23, 2026. If you or a surviving spouse rely on wartime service to qualify for VA pension, this rule directly affects you.
VA's apportionment rule changed on February 9, 2026. If you are seeking a new share of benefits, separation or hardship alone no longer qualifies. Existing apportionments can continue while entitlement remains. Check your claim's receipt date and the current Form 21-0788.
The VA published a substantive amendment to 38 CFR 3.1000 — the rule that governs who can collect benefits owed to a veteran or beneficiary who died before payment. The change takes effect February 23, 2026. Here's what survivors and dependents need to know.
The VA has issued a substantive amendment to 38 CFR 3.13, the rule governing how discharges to change status are treated for benefits eligibility. The change takes effect February 23, 2026, and could affect veterans with multiple periods of service or reenlistment histories.
The VA Office of Inspector General's FY 2025 report identifies five major management challenges shaping how the VA handles your disability and health care claims. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what it covers and how it affects the way you build your evidence and appeals.
The VA is amending 38 CFR 3.152, the regulation governing claims for death benefits, with the change taking effect January 22, 2026. If you are a surviving spouse, child, or parent who may file for DIC or related survivor benefits, this update affects how your claim is processed.
The VA finalized a substantive amendment to 38 CFR 20.104, the rule that defines what the Board of Veterans' Appeals can decide. The change takes effect February 23, 2026, and affects any veteran with an open appeal or planning to file one.
What the regulation actually says, what the Board of Veterans' Appeals has ruled, and the CUE pathway to reclaim years of missed payments when VA didn't do its job.
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