United Veteran’s Disability Files Lawsuit Challenging Ingram Rule

Written By Wesley McCauley

For Immediate Release

Statement of United Veteran’s Disability concerning VA’s Interim Final Rule, published on February 17, 2026

Update- 02/19/2026, 2:10 P.M. Eastern Time: Secretary Collins, via his official X account stated “Effective immediately, VA is halting enforcement of the interim final rule, Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication.” This change of heart comes less than 24-hours after we filed suit against the VA.

The foundation of our Constitution is built on the opportunity to be heard, the opportunity to engage and to debate. In 2017, then Representative Doug Collins said “Bureaucratic regulations often blindside American citizens because agencies refuse to make their guidance public. . . . When bureaucracy operates in the shadows, it handicaps people trying to do their jobs.” Statement on Trump Executive Orders Bringing Guidance Out of the Regulatory Dark, U.S. House Comm. on the Judiciary (Feb. 14, 2017). Sadly, it is apparent that now Secretary Collins has different views on blindsiding Veterans in the dead of night. On February 17, 2026, without advance notice or opportunity to respond, VA exercised an exception that is normally used for emergencies to issue an interim final rule concerning how the VA rates disabilities.

The rule is simple, it gives Veterans a choice: you can take medication and get treatment that helps you, or you can keep your benefits, but you can’t keep both. That is what this interim rule does; this is what it advocates for. Secretary Collins has often noted that a big reason the VA is broken is no one ever does anything. The VA makes a committee to “study” an issue, and no action ever comes from it, or the VA will “closely monitor” a situation, only to never do anything.

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, seeking an immediate injunction, requesting the Court set aside this rule. Our office, represented by The MilVet Law Firm, filed suit against the Secretary in record time. We didn’t play around, we didn’t study the situation, we took swift and immediate action. Also named as Petitioners are Derek Debus, of Stone Rose Law, and Andrew Laffoon, a Vietnam Veteran and client of our firm.

Copy of Petition, pending acceptance by the Clerk of Court.

I have gotten at least 20 e-mails from Veterans. You are scared your benefits are about to be shut off. You are wondering if you should stop taking your medication, just in case the VA calls you in for an exam. Let’s clear up a few things:

  • Your benefits will continue, and those of you without active claims will not be called for additional exams.

  • You should continue to take your medication as directed by your medical professionals.

  • Those of you with pending claims or appeals: this rule cannot be applied to you prior to February 17, 2026.

  • Those of you with pending Board or Court appeals will not receive exam requests from the VA.

  • Understand we fully intend to litigate this case and have this rule set aside as unlawful.

Our firm is here to send a clear message to the VA and to Secretary Collins: You will not induce fear and panic into the Veterans you are tasked to care for. Our firm will not sit idly by and watch it happen. We won’t “take it under advisement.” We will call your bluff, and see you in Court. Every. Single. Time. The VA has the resources of the entire federal government. We have something far more powerful, the trust of millions of Veterans.

To any Veteran reading this, sit back, relax, you’ve done your duty, we’ll fight this one for you.

Godspeed.

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About the Author
Wesley McCauley

While working as the Operations Lieutenant for his local fire department during college, Wesley found his love for veteran’s law. Wesley was born and raised in rural south Georgia, where he continues to enjoy living. While attending Valdosta State University, a community also home to Moody Air Force Base, Wesley saw the lack of quality representation available to Veterans and their families—even in a military community. This led him to become a VA accredited representative, seeking to serve Veterans and their families. Following his time in the Fire Department, he founded United Veteran’s Disability in September of 2021.

Wesley has represented some of our nation’s finest, including a World War II POW, combat Veterans, Camp Lejeune Veterans, submariners, Vietnam widows, Coastguardsmen, Infantrymen, FBI agents, and even VA employees. Wesley says each have a common thread “love of country.” He has successfully recovered millions in benefits for veterans and their families. His largest single recovery totals over $525,000 in backpay. Wesley has represented Veterans and their families at the Regional Office level, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. He has handled both medically and legally complex claims. Wesley believes in the importance of maximizing benefits for veterans, and his clients are regularly awarded SMC to help compensate veterans above the 100% rate.

While Wesley represents a wide range of Veterans and survivors, a large part of his practice includes veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. “What we saw with Vietnam veterans and Agent Orange is playing itself over again, but with burn pit Veterans. As we continue to learn more about the diseases associated with burn pit exposure, it is important to hold the VA accountable and push for many more diseases to be presumptive, just as the Vietnam Veterans had to fight decades for.”

Wesley is a sustaining member of the National Organization for Veterans’ Advocates, a member of the CAVC Bar Association, Military-Veterans Advocacy, and is a lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Outside of his practice, Wesley enjoys traveling with his wife, especially visiting our U.S. National Parks. Together, they plan to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks. They also enjoy exercising together, as well as nature photography.

https://unitedforvets.us
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