Press Release — February 19, 2026

Marine Combat Veteran Jonny Larsen Urges Utah Veterans to Oppose New VA Rule That Could Reduce Disability Compensation

Public Comment Deadline April 20, 2026

Jonny Larsen, Marine combat veteran and 2026 congressional candidate for Utah's 4th district, is calling on Utah veterans and their families to take immediate action against a new VA rule that could reduce compensation for millions of service-connected veterans.

On February 17, VA Secretary Doug Collins published an interim final rule amending 38 CFR 4.10 that overrides court rulings protecting veterans' compensation ratings. The rule was made effective immediately, bypassing the standard public comment process. Under the new rule, if a veteran's medication improves their service-connected condition, the VA will rate them based on the improved level rather than the actual severity of the underlying condition. Veterans called in for routine re-evaluations could see their ratings reduced simply because their prescribed treatment is working.

The Disabled American Veterans called the rule "alarming," noting it could affect more than 6 million veterans currently receiving compensation, most of whom take at least one medication. The rule impacts over 500 diagnostic codes and 350,000 currently pending claims.

"This rule punishes veterans for following their doctor's orders," said Larsen, who served as a Marine Corps Infantryman with two deployments to Iraq between 2000 and 2004. "I use the VA constantly. I understand how hard and how long it takes to fight for a rating. We already have an ongoing problem trying to care for our homeless veterans. This would only add more veterans to a problem no one is trying to solve."

The rule comes amid sweeping changes at the VA. Over the past year, the department has lost more than 40,000 employees, 90% of whom were healthcare staff, including 1,000 physicians, 1,500 schedulers, and 3,000 registered nurses. In August 2025, the VA terminated collective bargaining agreements for over 375,000 employees. Approximately 25% of VA workers are veterans themselves.

Utah's 4th congressional district is home to roughly 40,000 veterans and two military installations. Larsen is urging veterans and their families to submit public comments before the April 20, 2026 deadline at regulations.gov under RIN 2900-AS49, and to contact their congressional representatives in both the House and Senate.

Jonny Larsen is the Democratic nominee for Utah's 4th Congressional District. A Marine Corps infantry veteran who served from 2000 to 2004 and rose to the rank of Sergeant, Larsen deployed twice to Iraq and was present in Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001, where he witnessed the attack on the Pentagon and later stood as part of the first Honor Guard at Ground Zero. Learn more at JonnyLarsen.com.