In today’s commentary, we’re going to discuss Project 2025 as it pertains to the recommendations for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). For those who may not know, the VBA handles all veterans’ compensation, so be sure to stick around—you definitely don’t want to miss this video.

Before we dive into today’s topic on Project 2025 and the recommendations they have for the VBA, it’s important to note that we’re only providing our opinion as a former VA rater. VA raters work under the VBA, and while we’re not speaking from a political perspective—whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent—we are offering our feedback on the information being recommended.

Now, let’s get into it. We’ll share our screen to walk you through what we’ve reviewed. We’ve focused on the VBA section, as this is what many of you have asked about. It took us a couple of days to thoroughly review the recommendations, and we’ve color-coded our agreement or disagreement:

• Blue for what we agree with.
• Red for what we disagree with.
• Black for points we’re on the fence about, but we’ll explain our reasoning.

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA): Need for Reform

One of the most evident and ongoing concerns is the complexity of benefits, which can lead to confusion for veterans. If not mitigated early in the process, this confusion can result in long-term distrust and animosity toward the VA. We completely agree with this assessment because we’ve experienced this firsthand during the process of adjudicating our claim through the Atlanta Regional Office. Veterans often feel as though the VA has turned its back on them, and we felt the same way during our process.

VA Must Improve Timeliness

The VA must improve the timeliness of claim adjudication and benefits delivery. Veterans want the VBA to provide timely responses, offer empathetic customer service, and deliver benefits without frustrating delays—weeks, not months. We agree with this, and it can be done, but it all starts with mindset—management mindset, leadership mindset—from the top down. Additional training is necessary. For example, if a veteran submits a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for an increase, and that DBQ is actionable and sufficient, why is a VA employee requesting a C&P exam when it’s not needed? This prolongs the claims process unnecessarily.

Identify Performance Targets

Performance targets for benefits should be reported publicly each quarter, and these metrics should drive consistent improvement. While the VA does break down performance by regional offices, this data often doesn’t impact veterans directly. Leadership is aware of these issues, yet they’re not being proactive enough, in our opinion. We’ve seen this during our time working under the VBA—managers and assistant managers often just push paper, rather than implementing meaningful change.

Develop Express 30 Commitment

The proposal to develop a new pilot program, Express 30, for a veteran’s first fully developed disability compensation claim and to have the VBA complete it within 30 days is something we believe is possible. Many private-sector individuals, like ourselves, who were trained in process improvement methodologies, could contribute to this effort. However, the VA leadership is often reluctant to tap into this external knowledge, waiting instead for directives from DC.

Hire More Private Companies

The recommendation to hire more private companies to perform disability medical examinations is something we disagree with. We believe pushing DBQs from private doctors is more effective. However, it seems this isn’t being prioritized because third-party contractors have lucrative contracts with the VA. Instead of giving another billion-dollar contract to a private company, why not train more private examiners across the country to perform these examinations?

Hiring Additional Staff

Hiring additional staff to process claims is costly and has yielded mixed results. We agree that the current staff could handle the workload if processes were improved. It all comes back to ensuring that when a claim is ready for a decision, it goes to the rating activity immediately. The real issue is the lack of training and efficient processes.

Use Technology to Perform Work

The best way to provide benefits faster and more accurately is by leveraging technology. However, we believe this would be more of a technological challenge than an organizational one. Any system implemented would need thorough checks to ensure it doesn’t result in underpayments or overpayments.

Improving the VBA Acquisition Workforce

The VBA needs more world-class contractor support. Currently, some top companies have contracts with the VBA, but more outreach to the private sector is necessary, particularly to those specializing in process improvement. Senior leadership engagement in industrial conferences is crucial for bringing in the right expertise.

Establish a Knowledge Exchange Program

We definitely support establishing a knowledge exchange program with top-tier private sector companies that do similar work. The VBA is fundamentally a financial services organization, and much of its work has private sector analogs that could be leveraged to improve service to veterans.

In conclusion, while some of the recommendations in Project 2025 show promise, we believe that without a shift in leadership mindset and a more proactive approach to process improvement, these changes may fall short. Veterans deserve better, and it’s up to us to hold the VA accountable for delivering the benefits they’ve earned.

Project 2025 is not affiliated with Donald J. Trump is not associated with him or any of his organizations / associates.

Disclaimer:

This article is a commentary (opinionated) and is strictly this author’s views, and it is recommended that to research this issue further to draw your own conclusions on relevance and fact-based accuracy.

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.

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.