For those that don't know, Doug took a huge embarrassing - and much deserved - hit the other day. The VA tried to basically steal benefits from vets that earned them. They pushed a rule onto the Federal Registry that said for vets receiving disability percentages and compensation, if they are taking meds that help their condition or use devices that help (like a CPAP for example), their percentage and compensation would go down because the meds/devices are helping.

First - the percentage and compensation aren't conditional on meds/devices - they are compensating the veterans for their injuries/disorders they suffered because of their service.

Second - if the meds help for pain/breathing/mental health then great, but that isn't a cure.

Third, some of the veterans could have had their percentages lowered below the threshold that allows them to have VA healthcare - and could mean some wouldn't get the same treatments on the outside - if they even have health insurance.

The unforgivable things about the rule the VA pushed onto the federal register:

• They did it last Tuesday, quietly, and made it an "interim rule" but made it go into effect that day (nothing interim about that)
• They illegally did it before the public comments period even really got started ( A requirement for stuff like that)
• They tried to justify it but lost miserably
• The rule could have caused thousands of vets to skip important meds whenever they had to go to the VA clinic/hospital/exams for fear of losing compensation they were promised and many depend on. It could have also very easily made the veteran suicide rate skyrocket when they can no longer get the help/meds they need or when they end up homeless.

The VA learned that there are millions of veterans, veteran's service organizations (VSOs like the Texas Veterans Committee, the VFW/DAV/Legion, and many other organizations), and when they all speak out things immediately happen. All the phone lines in CONgress lit up. YouTube was full of videos explaining everything they were doing to veterans. News started picking it up.

Doug came out in less than 48 hours and rescinded the rule and said it is not coming back any time in the future. Here's a decent article on the rule the day it was implemented, and below is one the day it was rescinded.

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2026/02/18/va-to-consider-medical-management-of-symptoms-in-determining-disability-ratings/

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2026/02/19/va-halts-implementation-of-controversial-disability-rating-rule-following-backlash/

One of my favorite quotes from the 2nd article:

“Treatment to alleviate symptoms of a service-connected condition, including medication, should not be used in a way that decreases compensation for that disability. Such a notion could set up a slippery slope where a veteran with a spinal cord injury could be considered less disabled simply because he or she is able to use a wheelchair to ambulate,” Paralyzed Veterans of America CEO Carl Blake said.

So yeah - that's probably why Doug didn't want to be seen. In fact, even with all the good Doug has done at the VA in such a short time, the loss of trust from the very people he is supposed to serve and the massive backlash that came as a result could be enough to look for a new VA Secretary. I think it is 50/50 stay or retire.