C.M. v. Collins

On June 9, 2025, C.M., a transgender veteran who served honorably for 11 years in the Army and Army National Guard, filed a petition for extraordinary relief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, challenging a recent denial by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of healthcare coverage for gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy. C.M. sought relief for herself and all other similarly situated veterans. She also alleged the prohibition had been misapplied to her.

C.M. was first diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2017 and received coverage through TRICARE for doctor-prescribed hormone replacement therapy during seven years of her service. C.M. separated in January 2025 with a 100% disability rating for service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

On March 17, 2025, VA Secretary Doug Collins rescinded the longstanding VA policy first implemented in 2018 that provided coverage for hormone replacement therapy for transgender veterans. Soon after the rescission, a VA pharmacy denied C.M. coverage for her medically necessary medication, despite VA’s statutory obligation to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage for veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher. In her petition, C.M. contended that VA’s arbitrary and discriminatory actions violate the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes.

On June 23, VA acknowledged it had erred in denying C.M. coverage for medically necessary hormone therapy and provided her medication. On the same day, C.M. and VA jointly moved to dismiss the federal civil rights lawsuit she had filed against VA.

Petition for Extraordinary Relief (June 9, 2025)

Notice from VA (June 23, 2025)

“A transgender veteran who sued the VA get her gender-affirming care back”, Molly Ingram, WSHU, June 30, 2025

VA to Resume Health Care Coverage for Transgender Veteran in Clinic Case Press Release, June 27, 2025

“The VA says they won’t cover transgender-related health care. This veteran is fighting back,” Molly Ingram, WSHU, June 11, 2025

“Veteran Appeals VA Discontinuation Of Trans Health Coverage,” Gianna Gerrarin, Law360.com, June 9, 2025

“Transgender vet sues VA over decision to halt hormone therapy meds,” Leo Shane III, Military Times, June 9, 2025

“Transgender veteran files lawsuit to overturn ban on gender-affirming care,” Linda F. Hersey, Stars & Stripes, June 9, 2025

Veteran Sues VA Over Health Care Ban for Transgender Veterans, Press Release, June 9, 2025