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VA to Resume Health Care Coverage for Transgender Veteran in Clinic Case

Soldiers in uniform standing in front of the American flag

On June 23, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acknowledged it had erred in denying C.M., a transgender U.S. Army veteran, coverage for medically necessary hormone replacement therapy and provided her medication. On the same day, C.M. moved to dismiss the federal civil rights lawsuit she had filed against VA.

The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic, part of the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization, represents C.M.

“We are thrilled that our client will continue to receive the medically necessary health care she needs and deserves,” said clinic member Hillary Browning ’25.

C.M., a transgender woman, was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2017 while serving in the Army National Guard, following honorable service on active duty in the Army. Since then, and in consultation with her medical providers, she had been prescribed hormone replacement therapy, which allowed her to continue serving her country effectively for another seven years. In January 2025, she separated from service.

On March 17, VA Secretary Doug Collins rescinded the long-standing VA policy that provided coverage for hormone replacement therapy for transgender veterans like C.M.

Soon after the rescission was announced, a local VA pharmacy told C.M. that it would no longer provide her with hormone replacement medication, citing Secretary Collins’ March 17 notice. C.M. filed a petition for extraordinary relief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) arguing that she qualified under the exemption from the policy, or, in the alternative, that the new VA policy was unconstitutional and in violation of federal law. She sought relief for herself and all other similarly situated veterans.

Following VA’s representation to the Court that C.M. is eligible for continuing care and that VA is resuming coverage for C.M.’s hormone replacement therapy, C.M. and VA filed a joint motion for voluntary dismissal of C.M.’s case in the CAVC.

“Systemic safeguards must be in place to ensure that no other transgender veteran experiences the harm I did,” said C.M. “I urge policymakers and the VA to commit fully to equitable, accessible, and affirming health care for every veteran, and without exception. I hope my experience helps ensure that no other transgender veteran is wrongfully denied health care under this unnecessary and discriminatory policy.”

Browning said that the VA should examine similar decisions affecting veterans like C.M.

“It should not require a federal lawsuit for VA to fulfill its obligation to provide health care for veterans injured during service,” said Browning. “We are grateful for VA’s prompt course correction, but its error underscores the arbitrary and discriminatory nature of its new policy. The agency should reassess any decisions terminating or denying gender-affirming care for other transgender veterans.”