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.

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

Veterans Benefits Hub is committed to keeping you informed on the latest benefits for veterans with a 100% disability rating.

If you’re a veteran receiving 100% disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs, you might be wondering what benefits are available to you. There are 14 key benefits, with only two requiring special considerations. Let’s start with the first and most well-known benefit: compensation. A veteran rated at 100% can receive over $3,700 per month, tax-free, with no restrictions on how that money can be used.

Benefit number two is additional compensation for eligible dependents, which can be significant. For example, as of this video’s production, a veteran alone receives $3,737.85, while a veteran who is married with one child receives $4,098.87. The third benefit is no-cost health care and prescription medications, covering everything from hearing aids to hospital beds.

If you’re not yet enrolled, details on how to do so are in the video description below. Benefit number four is a travel allowance for scheduled medical appointments. Whether you drive, take a taxi, bus, or train, the VA can help cover those costs, and more details are provided below. Benefit number five is also substantial: no-cost dental care, covering everything from cleanings to dentures.

Benefit number six is a waiver of the U.S. VA funding fee for a U.S. VA home loan. If you’ve ever purchased a home, you know how expensive the upfront costs can be, but this benefit significantly reduces that financial burden. Benefits seven and eight relate to U.S. employment. You’ll receive a 10-point preference when applying for United States federal jobs, and many U.S. states offer the same. You may even be eligible for direct hire, meaning you don’t have to compete for the job. However, hiring authorities are not required to use this option, so it’s worth asking the HR department.

If you’re retired from the military, benefit number nine allows you to receive your full military retirement pay alongside your VA disability without any offset. Benefit number ten is a burial and plot allowance, and you can even get pre-need authorization. It’s not a pleasant topic, but planning ahead can ease the burden on your

Benefit number eleven is a uniformed services ID card, and one of my personal favorites, benefit number twelve, is the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. This program helps veterans start a new career with education, training, and more, including tuition, supplies, housing, and personalized counseling. If your current job is aggravating or worsening a service-connected disability, VR&E can help you find a more suitable position to improve your quality of life.

The final two benefits are specific to veterans with a 100% permanent disability. Benefit number thirteen is Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), which helps your dependents pay for school or job training. Benefit number fourteen is CHAMPVA, a comprehensive health care program where the VA shares the cost of health care services and supplies.

So, there you have it—14 benefits that veterans rated at 100% disability are eligible for. Thanks for tuning in. If you haven’t already, be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes of the VETERANS DISABILITY HUB. Our mission is to help you connect with the benefits you’ve earned, and we’re offering more resources than ever to do just that.