A recent court ruling has made it harder for veterans to receive benefits for PTSD and similar conditions, sparking concern among advocacy groups. The case centered on two veterans, Joshua Bufkin and Norman Thornton, who were denied benefits despite presenting strong evidence of service-related trauma. Critics argue that the new standard undermines the long-standing “benefit-of-the-doubt” principle that once gave veterans more leeway in close cases.

Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Neil Gorsuch dissented, warning the decision could tip the scales against veterans struggling to prove health issues tied to their service. Advocates say the shift gives the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) more power, likely leading to more denied claims and discouraging veterans from even applying.

Veterans’ groups are urging Congress to step in and restore stronger protections, especially for mental health cases where documentation is often hard to come by. Until then, many fear that those who served will face greater hurdles in receiving the care and support they were promised.

As pressure builds, lawmakers are being called to act quickly. Without intervention, advocates warn, more veterans could be left behind by a system now less inclined to offer the benefit of the doubt.