ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Veterans Administration rule that could have reduced benefits for veterans whose symptoms improve on medication has been halted. The rule, which could lower a veteran’s rating and therefore their benefits, faced criticism for potentially discouraging veterans from taking necessary medications.
Nick Stefanovich, Monroe County Veteran Services, expressed concern about the rule’s impact. “I don’t want to see any veterans, especially veterans with severe mental illness, not taking their medications so they can receive a higher rating,” he said.
Stefanovich explained the financial implications of the rule. “You could see the difference between a veteran receiving $4,000 a month to being brought down to a couple of hundred dollars a month,” he said…