VA Warns Congress of Potential Benefits Payment Disruptions Due to $15 Billion Budget Shortfall

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has informed Congress that it may face a nearly $15 billion budget shortfall this year and next, largely due to a higher-than-expected number of veterans utilizing VA services. This shortfall could affect both benefits and health care programs.

A significant portion of the deficit is attributed to the PACT Act, which has led to an increase in benefits claims, potentially leaving the VA $2.9 billion short in its benefits accounts this year. Additionally, health care accounts could fall short by nearly $12 billion next year, driven by unexpected costs related to staffing and prescription drugs.

In response to these concerns, the VA stated that it is collaborating with the White House and Congress to address the budgetary challenges in a manner that protects veterans’ interests.

“Currently, due in large part to the historic PACT Act, the VA is delivering more care and benefits to more veterans than ever before,” said VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes. “These efforts are life-changing for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors, and the VA remains committed to ensuring they receive the care and benefits they deserve.”

However, there are warnings that if funding is not secured by the end of the fiscal year, benefits payments could be disrupted. Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Mike Bost (R-Ill.), criticized the VA for what he described as fiscal mismanagement, noting that this is the largest budget shortfall the department has experienced under any administration.

Bost has demanded that VA Secretary Denis McDonough provide answers regarding the shortfall, raising the possibility of a subpoena if the VA does not comply by July 26.

For this fiscal year, the VA anticipated spending around $193 billion on benefits payments. While disability benefits payments have been slightly lower than projected so far, an increase is expected by year-end, particularly due to the PACT Act. There is also an anticipated rise in GI Bill payments following a Supreme Court ruling that expanded education benefits for veterans.

“If the Veterans Benefits Administration lacks sufficient funding, compensation and pension payments to over 7 million veterans and survivors, along with readjustment benefit payments to over 500,000 individuals, scheduled for October 1, 2024, are at risk,” officials warned.

In March, the VA requested nearly $370 billion for fiscal 2025, including $134 billion in discretionary spending primarily for medical care. While this represents a 13% increase from the previous year, discretionary funding is slightly reduced due to budget caps imposed by Congress.

The VA’s budget request anticipated a reduction of about 10,000 employees in the Veterans Health Administration, but the agency now expects to have about 20,000 more employees than initially projected. Additionally, pharmacy and prosthetic costs for next year could exceed expectations by $4 billion if current pricing trends continue.

The VA also noted that increased use of community care services, where veterans receive care from non-VA providers, is contributing to the budget shortfall. The program’s costs are now projected to increase by 16.5% next year, up from the originally forecasted 12%.

Despite these challenges, the VA views the higher-than-expected costs as a positive indicator of the success of the PACT Act, which expanded care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxins during their service.

“Significant growth in care has resulted from new benefits and enrollment opportunities under the PACT Act, alongside unprecedented outreach efforts to inform veterans about these opportunities,” Hayes added.

Chairman Bost, however, criticized the VA for not adequately planning for the PACT Act’s impact and for using budgetary tactics he described as “gimmicks.” He also questioned the VA’s drastic change in staffing projections, noting the difficulties in hiring quality healthcare workers amid shifting targets.

Source:

https://www.veterans.senate.gov/2024/7/sen-moran-statement-on-va-budget-shortfall

FACT SHEET: President Biden to Announce 1 Million PACT Act Claims Approved, Benefits Delivered to Veterans in all 50 States and U.S. Territories

President Biden signed the landmark bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act into law in August 2022, enacting the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years.  Named in honor of Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, a decorated combat medic who died from a rare form of lung cancer, this historic legislation is delivering timely benefits and services to veterans—across all generations—who have been impacted by toxic exposures while serving our country.

Thanks to this transformational law, the President will announce that more than 1 million PACT Act related claims have now been granted.  More than 888,000 veterans and survivors across all 50 states and U.S. territories are now receiving new service-connected disability benefits.
 
President Biden believes that our nation has a sacred obligation to properly prepare and equip the troops we send into harm’s way – and to care for them and their families when they return home. Sometimes military service can result in increased health risks for our veterans, and some injuries and illnesses like asthma, cancer, and others can take years to manifest. These realities can make it difficult for veterans to establish a direct connection between their service and disabilities resulting from military environmental exposures such as burn pits – a necessary step to ensure they receive the disability benefits and health care they earned. The PACT Act eliminated these barriers and ensures veterans get the care and services they deserve.

President Biden has made clear that supporting our veterans is a commitment that unites all Americans – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — and it’s why he made supporting our veterans a core element of his Unity Agenda. Under President Biden’s leadership, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has processed claims at the fastest rate in history, and is delivering health care to more veterans than ever before. Today, to mark a key milestone in this effort, the President will join veterans and their families at the Westwood Park YMCA in Nashua, New Hampshire to discuss how the historic PACT Act has delivered lifesaving health care and benefits to more than 888,000 veterans and survivors.

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration will also release new national and state-by-state data on PACT Act claims granted. 
 
The Administration has helped veterans in every state and territory receive the services and care they deserve by:

• Screening veterans for toxic exposures: More than 5.4 million veterans have received free screenings for toxic exposures from VA under the PACT Act – a critical step to catching and treating potentially life-threatening health conditions as early as possible.
• Delivering benefits to veterans and their survivors: Since enactment, VA has delivered more than $5.7 billion in earned PACT Act-related benefits to veterans and their survivors. VA is delivering these benefits to veterans at the fastest rate in history, processing 1.57 million total claims thus far in this fiscal year – 28% more year-to-date than the previous all-time record. In total, VA has processed 1,327,228 PACT Act claims since August 10, 2022.
• Prioritizing veterans with cancer: As a part of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, VA has prioritized claims processing for veterans with cancer – delivering nearly $637 million in PACT Act benefits to veterans with cancer. VA also prioritizes claims for veterans with terminal illnesses and veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Spreading the word to veterans and their survivors: Thanks to the PACT Act outreach campaign, veterans and survivors are applying for their earned benefits at record rates. Since August 2022, veterans and survivors have submitted 4.17 million total claims. This includes 1,655,810 PACT Act-specific claims applications.
• Increasing VA’s capacity to serve veterans: Thanks to new PACT Act authorities, VA has been able to expand its workforce in order to serve veterans as quickly and effectively as possible. In total, both the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits administration have achieved their highest growth rates in 20 years.
• Eliminating benefits delays for veterans: Instead of phasing in conditions over several years (as outlined in the legislation), the Biden-Harris Administration decided to make all conditions in the PACT Act presumptive for benefits as of August 10, 2022, the day the bill was signed into law. This decision expedited the timeline for veterans to receive their earned care and benefits by several years.
• Accelerating health care eligibility for veterans: As of March 2024, VA opened up eligibility for toxic exposed veterans to enroll in VA Health Care without first having to prove a service-connected disability and regardless of their deployment location, nearly ten years earlier than called for in the PACT Act. Thanks to new PACT Act eligibility, more than 145,000 veterans have newly enrolled in VA Health Care since August 10, 2022.

These historic efforts to address military toxic exposures build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s recent work to support our nation’s veterans, including:

• Ending veteran homelessness. No one should be homeless in this country, especially not those who served it. That’s why President Biden is proposing a guaranteed voucher for extremely low-income veterans, a population at especially high risk of homelessness. Last year, VA found permanent housing for over 46,000 veterans, expanded access to health care for homeless Veterans, expanded access to legal assistance for homeless Veterans, helped more than 145,000 Veterans and their families retain their homes or otherwise avoid foreclosure, and awarded more than $1 billion in grant funding to help homeless Veterans. These efforts are leading to results: from 2020 to 2023, there was a nearly 5 percent decline in veteran homelessness. And, tomorrow, Dallas will announce that it has effectively ended veteran homelessness.
• Securing jobs for our veterans. Roughly 200,000 service members transition from the military each year and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to providing them and their spouses the support they need to find good paying jobs. This includes helping connect veterans to registered apprentice programs, so they can transfer the skills they learned in the military.
• Removing barriers to mental health care. Next week, VA will take action to remove all cost-sharing for the first three behavioral health visits for veterans enrolled in VA health care, helping to ensure that all those in need can get the care they need. This action builds on VA’s new policy allowing eligible veterans and certain former service members in acute suicidal crisis to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for no-cost emergency health care – over 50,000 veterans and service members have used this benefit since it launched in 2023. VA is doing everything it can, including expanding mental health screenings, increasing access to legal and financial support, and hiring more mental health professionals, to help veterans get the help they need. For veterans and family members who may be experiencing a crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988 and then pressing 1.
• Supporting veterans and caregivers. Last year, President Biden signed an Executive Order directing the VA to cut red tape and give veterans who need assistance at home more flexibility to pick their own caregivers. As part of those actions, VA also launched a pilot program, known as the Virtual Psychotherapy Program for Caregivers, to provide mental health counseling services to family caregivers caring for our nation’s heroes. The program successfully completed its pilot phase and is now a permanent program. Since October 2023, the program has provided over 4,937 psychotherapy sessions to family caregivers. And, last year, President Biden signed an Executive Order calling for the most comprehensive set of administrative actions in our nation’s history to support the economic security of military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors.

If you are a veteran, visit www.va.gov/PACT or go to your local VA hospital to see if you are eligible for PACT Act benefits and services.

For a state-by-state breakdown of PACT Act data, click here.

United States veterans deserve to be compensated for any new disabilities that arise from their service-connected conditions. One effective way to achieve this is by filing a VA depression claim. While winning a VA claim won’t magically solve everything, the additional compensation can significantly improve your quality of life. 

Two of the most common service-connected disabilities are hearing loss and tinnitus. These conditions may seem minor, but they can profoundly impact daily life. However, there is a cap on the compensation you can receive for them. So, what can you do? File a VA depression claim as secondary to your tinnitus or hearing loss. Don’t let the government overlook your needs. Mental health issues often develop as a result of tinnitus or hearing loss, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes major depressive disorder as a compensable condition under the law. 

If you’re filing a mental health claim, you should aim for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, which the VA can rate and compensate you for. But how do you prove that your depression is connected to your service? You do this through a secondary service connection claim, which means your depression is linked to an already service-connected condition, such as hearing loss or tinnitus. 

For example, if your hearing loss or tinnitus makes it difficult to work, communicate with friends and family, or carry out daily activities, you may develop depression as a result. To claim benefits for secondary service connection, you first need a medical diagnosis of depression. Then, a medical professional must establish a connection, known as a Nexus, between your depression and your service-connected condition. This Nexus links your depression to your hearing loss or tinnitus. A board-certified psychologist or psychiatrist must provide this Nexus, explaining how your depression was either caused or aggravated by your hearing loss or tinnitus. 

If you’re already receiving treatment from a VA psychologist or psychiatrist, ensure that your diagnosis of major depressive disorder is well-documented. You can ask your VA psychologist to write a Nexus letter linking your depression to your hearing loss or tinnitus. If your VA doctor is unwilling to provide this, citing a conflict of interest, you may need to find a private psychologist. 

To locate a doctor who can write a Nexus letter for depression, start by searching online. Look for psychologists who specialize in VA Nexus letters or Nexus letters for depression in your state. Be cautious of middlemen services, as they typically do not add value. It’s crucial to find a qualified doctor directly.

This author highly recommends Dr. David Anaise, who is both a medical doctor and an experienced, well-respected attorney. Dr. Anaise has helped many veterans, including myself, with excellent Nexus letters. He is also a skilled attorney who represents veterans in appeals with a strong track record of favorable outcomes.

Law Offices of David Anaise MD JD
1001 W San Martin Dr. Tucson, AZ 85704
Phone: 520-219-7321
Fax: 520-844-1452
www.danaise.com

Read my book, “Medical Evidence in Veterans’ Disability,” at http://www.amazon.com/dp/1542726581.
See also reviews:
www.AVVO.com – David Anaise – Lawyer in Tucson, AZ – Avvo
David Anaise MD JD LLC – Reviews (google.com)

Disclaimer: This recommendation is based solely on the Nexus letter Dr. Anaise produced for me, which contributed to my successful appeal. This recommendation is not promoted for monetary gain, nor am I affiliated with Dr. Anaise in any way.

The preceding article is a commentary and the views expressed are strictly the author’s own.

Why You Shouldn’t Share Your VA Benefits: A Comprehensive Look

Sharing your VA benefits with others might seem like a generous and noble gesture, especially when a loved one is in financial need. However, it’s crucial to understand that doing so can have serious and far-reaching consequences for both you and the person you are trying to help.

Legal Implications

First and foremost, sharing your VA benefits is against the law. The Department of Veterans Affairs has established strict rules to prevent the misuse or abuse of these benefits. Allowing someone unauthorized access to your benefits is considered fraud, and engaging in such actions could result in the loss of all your VA benefits. The legal repercussions don’t stop there—you could also face criminal charges, fines, and even imprisonment. The VA’s regulations are in place to ensure that benefits go directly to those who have earned them through service, and violating these regulations undermines the integrity of the system.

Risk of Financial Exploitation

When you share your VA benefits with another person, you open yourself up to potential financial exploitation. Unfortunately, there have been numerous cases where veterans have unknowingly granted access to their benefits to a trusted family member or friend, only to later discover that the individual was using the benefits for their personal gain. This not only results in financial loss but can also severely damage relationships and erode trust. It’s important to remember that once access is granted, it can be difficult to regain control, and the consequences can be long-lasting.

Impact on Eligibility for Other Benefits

Another significant concern is the impact that sharing your VA benefits can have on your eligibility for other government programs. Many programs, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), have strict income and asset limits. If you share your VA benefits with someone else, it could increase your reported income and assets, potentially disqualifying you from receiving these essential benefits. This could have a cascading effect, where losing eligibility for one program leads to the loss of others, putting your financial stability at greater risk.

Challenges in Managing Benefits

Sharing your VA benefits can also create challenges in managing them effectively. When you allow someone else to control how your benefits are used, you lose oversight and may find it difficult to access the funds when you need them. This can lead to misunderstandings, disagreements, and even situations where your benefits are mismanaged or depleted without your knowledge. Maintaining full control over your benefits ensures that they are used in a manner that best supports your needs and priorities.

Alternative Ways to Help Loved Ones

If you are concerned about helping a loved one in need, there are safer and more appropriate ways to provide support without jeopardizing your own benefits. Consider offering direct financial assistance that doesn’t involve your VA benefits, or help them find other resources and programs designed to provide the support they need. Additionally, having a conversation about financial management and budgeting could empower your loved one to become more self-sufficient, reducing the need for your direct assistance.

Conclusion

Your VA benefits were earned through your service and are intended to support your well-being and financial security. Sharing them with others, no matter how well-intentioned, can lead to significant legal, financial, and personal risks. By refraining from sharing your benefits and instead seeking alternative ways to help those in need, you protect both your benefits and your peace of mind. Remember, safeguarding your benefits is not just about following the law—it’s about ensuring that you can continue to rely on the support you’ve earned through your service.

Veterans of the Armed Forces face extraordinary challenges and experiences throughout service. Unfortunately, these experiences can lead to various mental health conditions. Depression disorders can manifest due to factors like trauma and chronic pain. One particular condition linked to depression in veterans is tinnitus.

Tinnitus Among U.S. Veterans

Tinnitus, characterized by continuous or periodic ringing in the ears, affects millions of individuals worldwide. This condition is particularly prevalent among military veterans, causing significant distress and affecting their quality of life.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), tinnitus is one of the most common service-connected disabilities. The development of tinnitus among military veterans can be attributed to various factors, including exposure to loud noises and trauma during service. Prolonged exposure to high-intensity noises like gunfire, explosions, and aircraft engines can damage the delicate structures within the ear, leading to tinnitus. Additionally, veterans who have endured traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may experience tinnitus due to damage to the auditory pathways.

Tinnitus Is Linked to Depression Disorders

The presence of tinnitus can have profound effects on veterans’ mental health, quality of life, and occupational functioning. The constant buzzing or ringing can interfere with sleep, concentration, and communication, leading to physical and mental health disorders. Significantly, the persistent nature of tinnitus increases the risk of developing mood disorders like depression.

Research has shown that a significant percentage of individuals with tinnitus develop depression disorders. Studies suggest 33% of patients diagnosed with tinnitus also experience depression. This prevalence rate is significantly higher than that seen in the general population, suggesting a strong correlation between the two conditions.

Depression VA Ratings Secondary to Tinnitus

The VA recognizes the impact of depression secondary to tinnitus on a veteran’s life and provides rating criteria to assess the severity of this mental health condition. The VA employs the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), which includes depression. VA ratings range from 0% to 100% disability, depending on the severity and functional impairment caused by the condition.

To learn more about the VA Claims Process for Depression—including eligibility requirements, tips on filling out forms, and valuable claims strategies—visit the VA’s official website.

To determine the rating for depression secondary to tinnitus, the VA considers several factors, including the presence of depressive symptoms, their frequency and duration, and the impact on daily functioning. The severity of depression is evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), along with reports from mental health professionals, medication usage, and any hospitalizations related to the condition.

How to File a VA Claim for Depression Secondary to Tinnitus

To file a successful VA claim for depression secondary to tinnitus, one crucial piece of evidence is a medical nexus letter. This letter establishes a connection between the veteran’s tinnitus and the resulting depression, providing necessary documentation to support the claim. The medical nexus letter should be written by a healthcare professional experienced in tinnitus, mental health issues such as depression, and preparing medical nexus opinions for VA claims.

It’s essential to find a provider familiar with the specific requirements for a successful VA claim, as their expertise can significantly improve the likelihood of a successful claim. Once you have obtained a medical nexus letter, the next step is gathering additional evidence supporting your claim, such as medical records, treatment plans, and witness statements.

For guidance on the VA claims process, including preparing and submitting a claim for depression secondary to tinnitus, visit the VA’s Claims and Appeals page.

Contact an Attorney Today About Depression VA Ratings

Depression secondary to tinnitus is a significant mental health concern for many veterans. By understanding the depression VA ratings secondary to tinnitus and navigating the claims process with the necessary evidence and support, veterans can receive the benefits and assistance they need to manage their mental health and overall well-being.

To learn more about the VA Claims Process for Depression—including eligibility requirements, tips on filling out forms, and valuable claims strategies—visit the VA’s official website.

If you have a VA disability rating of 70%, 80%, or 90%, and you’re striving to join the “100% Club,” you’re likely facing a crucial decision: do you take the easy route or the hard one? This article will explore the two paths to achieving a 100% disability rating, focusing on the challenges and benefits of each.

For veterans at 70%, 80%, or 90% disability, the goal of reaching 100% often seems elusive. The closer you get, the more challenging it becomes. VA math, known for its complexity, can make it feel like you’re playing a game where the rules constantly change. Imagine being on a football field, and every time you gain some yardage, a penalty pulls you back. That’s how many veterans feel as they inch closer to the 100% rating. For example, if your combined ratings total 88%, that rounds up to 90%. But even if you manage to add another 50% rating, like for sleep apnea, you might still end up at 90%. It’s a frustrating reality for many veterans.

So, what’s the hard way? The hard way involves pursuing additional ratings to reach 100%. This method can work, but the VA will likely make you pay for it, possibly by cutting off past due benefits or scrutinizing your claim more closely. If you’re already at 90%, chances are, your major conditions are already accounted for, making it harder to find new conditions that would push you to 100%. The process can be slow, and the VA will be looking for ways to keep their costs down.

On the other hand, there’s the easy way: pursuing Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from working, TDIU is a viable option. TDIU allows veterans to be paid at the 100% rate even if their combined disability rating is less than 100%. This path can be especially beneficial for veterans whose disabilities severely impact their ability to work, even if they don’t meet the 100% rating threshold through VA math.

In cases where TDIU is pursued, a vocational expert can be invaluable. Vocational experts assess your work history, skills, and the impact of your disabilities on your ability to work. They provide detailed reports that the VA often cannot refute because they lack their vocational experts to counter these claims. A good vocational expert will take the VA’s restrictions, such as those from a C&P exam, and demonstrate how your disabilities prevent you from working in a competitive environment.

However, it’s important to understand the limitations of a vocational expert. They cannot provide medical opinions that would increase your ratings, such as moving from a 50% to a 70% rating for PTSD. You would need a medical professional for that. But once you have the necessary ratings, a vocational expert can help bridge the gap to 100% through TDIU.

For younger veterans, there may be hesitation about pursuing TDIU because it feels like admitting defeat. But the reality is, if you haven’t worked since leaving service and your disabilities are severe, TDIU might be the best option. You can still try to work, especially if you’re in a protected or self-employed environment. The VA allows for some work under TDIU, as long as it’s below the poverty line or in a sheltered employment situation.

In the end, the choice between the hard way and the easy way depends on your circumstances and goals. If you’re struggling to get to 100% through additional ratings, TDIU could offer a faster, more stable path. And remember, pursuing TDIU doesn’t mean you can’t try working later—if your situation improves, you can always reassess your options.

If you need help navigating the VA claims process, consider reaching out to a professional or joining a program where you can learn more about the strategies that work. And if you’re missing critical medical evidence, services like Second Strata may be able to assist you in gathering the documentation you need to win your claim.

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet specific age or disability criteria and have income and net worth within certain limits. Learn more about your eligibility for this benefit.

The VA assigns disability ratings based on the severity of a veteran’s service-connected condition. These ratings are expressed as a percentage from 0% to 100%, reflecting the degree to which the disability decreases the veteran’s overall health and ability to function.

When a veteran has multiple disabilities, the VA uses a combined rating system rather than simply adding the percentages together. This is done using a method that accounts for the impact of each additional disability on the veteran’s remaining health. For example, if a veteran has two disabilities rated at 30% and 20%, the VA doesn’t simply add them to get 50%. Instead, they use a specific calculation where each disability’s impact is measured on the remaining “healthy” percentage of the body, often resulting in a combined rating that is lower than the sum of individual ratings​

Current Veterans disability compensation rates

Learn more about how the VA assigns disability ratings and use the official VA combined disability rating calculator by visiting the VA’s Disability Ratings Page.

VA’s Claim Status Tool allows Veterans to view the status of their VA claims online using their VA.gov login. This tool displays which claims are in process and identifies any actions Veterans need to take. It also gives Veterans the ability to review recent claim activity.

Claim Status Tool Enhancements

VA recently enhanced the Claim Status Tool to improve your digital, self-service experience. The tool now shows a breakdown of the eight-step disability claims process, making it easier to understand where your claim currently stands. The steps include:

• Step 1: Claim received
  VA receives your claim in its system.
• Step 2: Initial review
  VA reviews your claim for basic information (e.g., name, Social Security Number).
• Step 3: Evidence gathering
  VA reviews your claim to ensure it contains all necessary information. VA may ask for more evidence at this step of the claims process. Additional evidence could include a claim-related medical exam or medical records from a VA or non-VA provider.
• Step 4: Evidence review
  VA reviews all collected evidence for a claim.
• Step 5: Rating
  VA decides your claim and determines the disability rating.
• Step 6: Preparing decision letter
  VA prepares the decision letter. Though this letter cannot be viewed on VA.gov until Step 8, it will identify if you are eligible for additional benefits. This letter will include details such as disability ratings, the amount of monthly payments, and when payments begin.
• Step 7: Final review
  A senior reviewer from VA will conduct a final review of the claim and decision letter.
• Step 8: Decision letter available
  You can view and download your decision letter for the claim on the Status page of the Claim Status Tool.

More About the Claim Status Tool

The Claim Status Tool contains three main tabs:

• Status: The Status tab tells you what actions you can take to support your claim and lists requests for third parties.
• Files: The Files tab displays information requests to you, a button for uploading files, and a list of supporting documents you have submitted to VA.
• Overview: The Overview tab provides you with a description of the claims process, spotlights each step, and explains that the process may return to a previous step if more information is needed.

You no longer have to contact a call center or regional office for claims information. The Claim Status Tool allows you to access important claim information whenever you need it. This tool is another step forward in VBA’s ongoing mission to support Veterans and their families. To learn more about using the Claim Status Tool, please visit the Claims Status page.