Democratic lawmakers are urging Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to permanently scrap a proposed policy that would adjust disability ratings based on how well a veteran’s medical condition responds to medication.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has said it is only pausing the plan — not abandoning it — a move that has raised alarm among lawmakers and veterans’ advocates who warn the change could reduce disability compensation and access to health care for millions of former service members whose symptoms are controlled through treatment.

In a letter reviewed by ABC News, Democrats on the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees demanded written confirmation by Monday that the proposal has been fully withdrawn. They also requested a detailed timeline for rescinding the directive and an explanation for why the department did not follow standard federal rule-making procedures before issuing the guidance.

“The lack of transparency and lack of communication before its roll-out indicates this rule is a political maneuver aimed at cutting costs by abdicating VA’s obligation to service-disabled veterans,” the letter stated. It was signed by 21 Democrats and Independents.

Among the signatories were Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Rep. Mark Takano of California, the ranking Democrats on their respective Veterans’ Affairs committees. Republican leaders on the committees did not respond to requests for comment, nor did the VA.

The controversy stems from a Feb. 17 directive instructing VA medical examiners to assess a veteran’s level of impairment as it appears while the individual is taking prescribed medication or undergoing treatment, rather than evaluating the underlying severity of the condition itself.

Veterans’ advocacy groups quickly condemned the guidance, arguing it could pave the way for reductions or eliminations of benefits for veterans whose conditions remain serious but are managed through ongoing care. Critics say such a shift would fundamentally alter how service-connected disabilities are evaluated, potentially leaving vulnerable veterans at risk of losing critical support.