Texas veterans who rely on VA home health aide services are facing significant changes in January 2026. The Department of Veterans Affairs revised how it evaluates and approves in-home caregiver hours, resulting in reduced care for many veterans across the state. According to CBS Texas reporting, internal reports show spending on the program fell by nearly $125 million over the past year, a 23% decrease.
The changes affect more than 15,000 veterans statewide who depend on the Home Health Aide program for everyday tasks like bathing and grooming. Some veterans have seen their approved hours drop dramatically. One veteran’s family reported his care dropping from 58 hours per week to just 13 hours. Additionally, reimbursement rates for rural caregiving in Texas will fall by 43% in January 2026. VA officials say the program was never intended to provide round-the-clock care, only assistance with essential daily activities. For veterans affected by these reductions, a Texas VA disability compensation lawyer can help you understand your options and fight for the care you need.
What These Changes Mean For Veterans
The reduction in approved hours stems from new evaluation criteria the VA implemented for determining how much in-home care veterans need. The VA adjusted its assessment methodology, which has led to fewer approved hours for many veterans who previously received more extensive support. Rural veterans face additional challenges. The 43% cut to rural caregiver reimbursement rates puts these services at risk. Caregiving agencies serving rural areas report they may need to reduce staff, lower pay, and scale back services like transportation and legal assistance for VA benefits. The higher costs of serving rural veterans, including long travel times and workforce shortages, make lower reimbursement rates unsustainable for many providers. Veterans and families report they’re not asking for constant care. They want enough hours to stay safely in their homes rather than moving to institutional settings. The gap between what veterans need and what the VA now approves has left many families struggling to fill the difference.
Your Rights When Care Hours Are Reduced
If your VA home health aide hours have been cut or denied, you have the right to appeal that decision. The appeals process requires understanding VA regulations, gathering medical evidence that supports your need for care, and presenting a clear case for why you need the hours you’re requesting. Many veterans don’t realize that decisions about home health aide hours can be challenged through the same appeals process used for disability ratings. The key is documenting your actual needs:
- Medical records showing your current condition and limitations
- Statements from your doctors about the required assistance
- Evidence of how your service-connected disabilities affect daily activities
- Documentation of your living situation and available family support
The VA must base its decisions on the evidence in your file. If the evidence shows you need more care than you’ve been approved for, you have grounds to appeal. Working with A Texas VA disability compensation lawyer can help you with that process.
How Legal Representation Helps
The connection between home health aide eligibility and your overall VA disability rating is important. Veterans with higher disability ratings may qualify for different levels of care. If your disability rating doesn’t accurately reflect your current condition, you may be underrated for both compensation and care services. A proper evaluation of your disabilities can affect multiple benefits. Your disability rating determines your monthly compensation, but it also influences what additional benefits and services you can access. Secondary conditions that develop because of service-connected disabilities often go unrecognized, leaving veterans with lower ratings than they deserve.
At Glover Luck LLP, we help Texas veterans fight for the benefits they’ve earned through their service. Whether you’re appealing a reduction in home health aide hours, seeking a higher disability rating, or challenging a denial of benefits, having someone who understands VA law and procedures can strengthen your case. We can review your situation, gather necessary medical evidence, and help you present the strongest possible case for the care and compensation you need. Contact Glover Luck LLP to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you secure the benefits you deserve.
