A Vietnam veteran who has appealed his Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating has asked the courts to review a VA rule published Tuesday that requires medical examiners to factor in the effects of medication on a service-connected condition when determining a veteran’s disability rating. Andrew Laffon has joined forces with several law firms to petition the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to review the regulation, which was issued Tuesday as an “interim final rule” and immediately went into effect. The rule clarified VA regulations on considering medical management of health conditions when determining a veteran’s disability rating. It was written in response to court decisions dating to 2012 that limited the consideration of medication’s effects by the VA’s claims adjudications board. VA to consider medical management of symptoms in determining disability ratingsThose court decisions also, however, noted that the VA secretary could adopt a regulation at any time that would clarify whether medications must be considered, and on Tuesday, VA Secretary Doug Collins did just that, arguing that without the ruling, the VA would face a massive administrative burden and would pay out disability compensation based on levels that “veterans are not actually experiencing.” Under the new rule, medical examiners must consider a veteran’s “actual level of functional impairment” and can no longer estimate or discount improvements from medications. If medication or treatment lowers the level of disability, the rating will be based on the lower level, according to the regulation. Tuesday’s announcement infuriated veterans and advocacy groups who say the rule punishes veterans who comply with medical treatment, doesn’t consider the burden or side effects of taking daily medications or the efficacy of medications over the long term. “Medication can reduce symptoms. It can help a veteran sleep, reduce vigilance, or stop anxiety attacks. But it does not remove the underlying traumatic experience, or moral injury, and it certainly does not mean a veteran can fully function without that treatment,” American Legion National Commander Dan Wiley said in a statement Wednesday. They also argue that it was drafted in secrecy and published as a fait accompli — without appropriate input from those affected or experts in the field. The lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction to the rule. The plaintiffs argue that the rule will cause economic harm to veterans and firms that represent them. They also say that it is contrary to a long-standing policy of ruling in favor of the veteran when a dispute arises. “This court should … set aside the interim final rule as it was made without observance of procedure as required by law, or as being arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and otherwise not in accordance with the law,” wrote Paul Jennings, the plaintiffs’ attorney. While the rule is considered final, the VA is taking comments from the public for a 60-day period and will consider the feedback, according to the regulation. By Thursday, 48 hours after the ruling was posted, the regulation had received nearly 9,000 comments. Wesley McCauley, an attorney with United Veterans Disability LLC, and a plaintiff in the suit, said he has heard from veterans who are worried that their disability compensation will be reduced. In a post on his firm’s site, McCauley sought to reassure them, noting that the rule affects veterans who file new claims or appeals after the date the regulation was published, on Feb. 17. And he urged all to continue taking their medication. He promised also to continue fighting the ruling. “If its swift action Secretary Collins wants, we gave him just that. We didn’t ‘monitor the situation,’ we didn’t ‘study the matter closely.’ No, instead, in less than 48 hours since this rule took effect, we filed a Petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit,” McCauley wrote. “We didn’t play around, we didn’t study the situation, we took swift and immediate action.”

For more than two decades, Soldiers’ Angels has stood beside Service Members, Veterans, and their families meeting urgent needs while restoring dignity, stability, and hope. Today, one of the fastest-growing and most critical areas of our work is food assistance. As economic pressures continue to rise, far too many Military-connected families face difficult choices between paying bills and putting nutritious meals on the table. That reality has made food support an essential part of our mission. Food insecurity remains a serious challenge within the Military community. Soldiers’ Angels has responded by expanding food assistance efforts nationwide—providing millions of pounds of food each year to families who need it most. In 2024 alone, we supported more than 49,000 military and Veteran families with over 1 million pounds of food, making Soldiers’ Angels the largest provider of food exclusively to Veterans in the United States. This work is grounded in a simple belief: No one who served our country should have to worry about their next meal. Soldiers’ Angels Food Pantries One of the ways we are deepening our impact is through the expansion of our Food Pantry program. These distributions typically take place once a week* and provide reliable, ongoing access to fresh, healthy groceries for Service Members, Veterans, and their families. Current and emerging locations include: Charlotte/Salisbury, North Carolina Detroit, Michigan San Antonio, Texas Atlanta, Georgia (coming soon) West Palm Beach, Florida (coming soon) *Schedule varies by location. Beyond simply providing food, these events are designed to create a welcoming environment that fosters connection and community in each city they serve. When participants arrive, they are paired with a volunteer who serves as a personal shopper. Instead of receiving a pre-packed bag of food, families are able to choose the foods that best fit their needs, preferences, and dietary restrictions. This approach ensures that the support provided is practical but respectful. At the Charlotte-area launch, pre-registered Veterans and Service Members were invited to “shop” for groceries in a setting designed to feel welcoming and supportive, reinforcing the idea that assistance should never come at the cost of dignity. Continuing a Legacy of Large-Scale Food Support While Food Pantries offer a more personalized experience, they are just one part of our comprehensive food assistance strategy. We host monthly drive-through food distribution events that provide fresh produce, meats, and pantry items to Service Members and Veterans. Locations include: Atlanta Charleston Cincinnati Dallas Denver Orlando San Antonio Washington, D.C. At these events, participants typically receive around 75 pounds of food—enough to provide up to two weeks of meals for a family of four. Depending on the location, each distribution supports 150–300 families every month. These large-scale efforts ensure consistent, reliable access to essential groceries for thousands of Military-connected households. Meeting Immediate Needs: Box Lunches and VA Gift Cards For low-income, homeless, or at-risk Veterans facing urgent or daily challenges, Soldiers’ Angels provides direct meal support through additional programs in partnership with VAs across the country. Box Lunches delivers non-perishable meals at VA facilities and Stand Down events nationwide. VA Cafeteria Gift Cards help Veterans access a hot meal during medical appointments or after fasting for treatments. These initiatives ensure that even in moments of crisis or transition, Veterans receive both nourishment and compassionate care. Expanding the Mission—One Meal at a Time From large-scale food distributions to neighborhood food pantries and individual meal support, Soldiers’ Angels is building a comprehensive safety net designed to meet Veterans and Service Members wherever they are. Each pantry shelf stocked, each distribution hosted, and each meal provided represents more than food—it represents gratitude, respect, and a promise kept. As Soldiers’ Angels continues expanding food assistance programs into new communities, the goal remains clear: No Veteran, Service Member, or military family should ever go hungry. Through partnerships, volunteers, and supporters across the country, Soldiers’ Angels will continue nourishing those who once stood ready to serve us all. About the Author Ashley Ray has been a member of the Soldiers’ Angels communications team since 2013. She supports blog writing and social media and loves telling stories of Angel volunteers, Service Members, and Veterans. The post Nourishing Those Who Served: Expanding Our Role of Food Support appeared first on Soldiers' Angels.

The Asbury Park native swings into the Garden on May 11 and 16.

Sex wasn’t just a pleasurable pastime for the R&B superstar — it was his preferred “weapon” of choice, according to Reshona Landfair. 

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