VFW Action Corps Weekly
VFW Applauds VA for Rescinding Disability Ratings Rule: The VFW commends VA for rescinding its interim final rule that would have changed how disability ratings are evaluated, a move the VFW warned could unfairly reduce benefits for disabled veterans. More than 20,000 public comments were submitted urging the policy’s withdrawal after widespread concern from veterans and service organizations. VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore thanked VA Secretary Doug Collins for listening to veterans and reversing what she called an abrupt change with potentially unintended consequences. While praising the decision as a significant step forward, the VFW pledged to continue working with Congress and VA to ensure future policy changes prioritize transparency, meaningful veteran input and the protection of earned benefits. Read the statement.
VFW Washington Conference: The VFW’s annual Washington Conference is underway in Washington, D.C., and runs through March 5. Hundreds of VFW leaders and advocates have mobilized to take our message directly to Capitol Hill. National Legislative Committee members, the 2025–2026 VFW-SVA Fellows, comrades and Auxiliary members from around the globe are meeting with lawmakers to ensure our legislative priorities are heard directly from their veteran constituents. The highlight of the week will be VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore’s testimony before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs on Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. EST. Tune in here.
Washington Conference App Now Available: If you are attending the 2026 Washington Conference, be sure to download the VFW Events 2026 app to stay in the know throughout conference. Within, you can find the agenda, fellow attendees and more. Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store today, or visit the VFW Events App Quick Start Guide.
Roundtable Explores Appeals Reform: VFW National Legislative Service Deputy Director Nancy Springer joined staff members from the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, veterans organizations and academic experts for a roundtable on appeals legislation. Participants explored how the Board of Veterans' Appeals could aggregate similar appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims could certify class actions that could help reduce the nearly 200,000-case backlog and shorten a process that often takes years. The group also discussed critical safeguards. Participants emphasized protecting veterans’ due process rights, recognizing the unique facts underlying individual appeals while resolving shared legal questions and ensuring that aggregation does not delay timely adjudication decisions.
VFW Podcast Zooms in on VA Rule Change and Washington Conference: In this episode of Still Serving, host Rob Couture is joined by VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci and National Veterans Service Director Mike Figlioli to unpack a turbulent week in veterans policy. The trio breaks down the VA’s interim rule change to 38 CFR 4.10, the public backlash that generated more than 20,000 comments in the Federal Register, and what it means for disability ratings moving forward. They also tackle the ongoing fight against predatory “claims sharks,” including state-level battles and a recent federal court ruling. The episode also gives a preview of the VFW’s Washington Conference, where grassroots advocates will press Congress on priorities like the Major Richard Star Act and protecting earned veterans’ benefits. Listen to episode 59, "Three’s a Quorum,” on your favorite podcast platform or watch it on the VFW’s YouTube channel.