A new rule introduced by the Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday would limit the amount of compensation for veterans with disabilities, basing their need on how well they function with medication instead of the underlying issue, Task & Purpose reported. The new standards will lower payments to veterans, some advocates are anticipating. 

“If medication or other treatment lessens the functional impairment a disability causes and thereby improves a veteran’s earning capacity, that is the proper disability level for which the veteran should be compensated,” the VA stated in the notice. 

The VA announced this Thursday that they will “not be enforced at any time in the future” after the public backlash, leaving the public comment period open without a plan to implement the new ruling. 

Navy photo by Garrett Dipuma