VA Disability Benefits

This testimony highlights the long-standing challenges the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to face in managing and modernizing its disability compensation program. Despite progress in reform efforts, updated eligibility criteria, and oversight improvements, VA still struggles with inconsistent use of leading management practices, quality issues in contracted disability exams, and gaps in claims processor training. The report also underscores how outdated policies and statutory limitations hinder VA’s ability to fully modernize benefits for today’s veterans. Addressing these systemic issues will require sustained leadership, updated tools, and a renewed focus on accuracy, accountability, and timely support for millions of veterans.