Veterans Benefits in 2025: What's the Focus Under the New Administration?
What's the Focus Under the New Administration
Cynthia Gomez
Meta Description: Discover what veterans can expect from the VA in 2025 under the Trump administration and Secretary Doug Collins. Learn about PACT Act benefits, community care expansion, and how to access your earned benefits.
Introduction: A New Chapter for Veterans Affairs
As 2025 unfolds, the Department of Veterans Affairs is focused on reducing wait times for healthcare appointments, expanding services, and putting veterans at the center of everything the VA does. With Doug Collins sworn in as the 12th Secretary of Veterans Affairs on February 5, 2025, the administration has outlined clear priorities aimed at improving veteran care, benefits delivery, and overall experience with the VA system.
For America's veterans and their families, understanding these changes and priorities is essential for accessing the benefits and care you've earned through your service. This comprehensive guide breaks down what veterans can expect in 2025 and beyond.
Secretary Doug Collins: Leadership and Vision
Secretary Collins, an Air Force Reserve colonel and chaplain with two decades of military service, brings both military experience and legislative knowledge to the role. During his nomination hearing, he stated he would make VA more "user-friendly, so veterans won't need outside help to navigate the department's bureaucracy".
Key Priorities Under Secretary Collins
Collins has committed to delivering timely access to care and benefits for every eligible veteran, family member, caregiver, and survivor, while putting veterans at the center of everything VA does and focusing relentlessly on customer service and convenience.
The administration's main focus areas include:
Veteran-Centered Service Delivery: Collins emphasized that the veteran is back to being the only constituent of the VA, stating "That's our only job, that's our only mission. The VA itself only exists for the veteran".
Expanded Healthcare Access: The secretary pledged to make it easier for veterans to access medical appointments, either within VA or through private-sector clinics, stating "The days of making choices limited for veterans on where they can get their care are over".
Improved Benefits Processing: The Veterans Benefits Administration is clearing cases faster than ever, with VA remaining mission-focused by doing what it is supposed to do.
Accountability and Reform: The administration aims to celebrate the vast majority of VA employees who do a great job every day and hold employees accountable when they fall short of the mission.
PACT Act: Continuing the Mission for Toxic-Exposed Veterans
One of the most significant legislative achievements for veterans in recent years continues to be a cornerstone of VA benefits in 2025. The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history, officially known as The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
What the PACT Act Covers
The PACT Act expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras, adding 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures.
Eligible Service Locations and Periods:
Veterans who served on or after August 2, 1990, in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates, and those who served on or after September 11, 2001, in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, or Uzbekistan may be eligible.
PACT Act Results So Far
More than 1 million veterans and their survivors have received disability compensation benefits under the PACT Act, with VA delivering more than $6.8 billion in earned PACT Act benefits, and nearly 740,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care since August 10, 2022.
Important: Secretary Collins has stated he would continue the work of the PACT Act, adding it "provides vital health care and benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances".
Getting Your Toxic Exposure Screening
The PACT Act requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care, with all enrolled veterans receiving the screening at least once every five years. These screenings are quick (5-10 minutes) and can identify potential exposures that may affect your long-term health.
Community Care and Healthcare Choice Expansion
A major emphasis of the current administration is expanding veterans' options for receiving healthcare outside traditional VA facilities.
Expanding community care options — opportunities for veterans to seek private-sector care at taxpayers expense — was a major campaign promise for Trump, and Collins has reiterated that focus in recent public interviews.
The VA MISSION Act Legacy
The MISSION Act passed in 2018 during President Trump's first administration and expanded access to community care clinics while improving VA's hiring capabilities. This legislation continues to shape how veterans access care in 2025.
What This Means for You: Veterans now have more flexibility in choosing where and when to receive healthcare, whether at VA facilities or through approved community providers. However, it's important to note that VA facilities specialize in service-related conditions and maintain comprehensive veteran health records.
Technology Modernization and Innovation
The VA is leveraging technology to improve veteran services and streamline benefit delivery.
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Modernization
VA leaders will begin initial work in 2025 for the restart of the electronic health records system, with six active sites seeing improvement in veteran outpatient trust scores, decreased wait times, less interruptions in patient care for clinicians, and increases in clinician and staff satisfaction.
Artificial Intelligence for Claims Processing
Collins said he was interested in using AI to help reduce the backlog of veterans' claims seeking benefits, stating he'd like to use AI to "take the ones that are, you know, quote, easy, the ones that match the box, that we can get out of the way, so that we can actually get hands on those that are a little bit more difficult".
Record Claims Processing
The Veterans Benefits Administration has processed claims at record numbers, with McDonough stating in his final press conference that the agency processed more than 11,000 claims in a day for the ninth time in fiscal year 2025.
Critical Focus Areas: Homelessness and Suicide Prevention
Two longstanding challenges remain top priorities for the VA in 2025.
Addressing Veteran Homelessness
Planning documents call for a $1.1 billion increase for programs aimed at ending veterans' homelessness, with officials stating the money would be earmarked for "rental assistance and augmenting VA's existing case management".
Collins acknowledged that "We have spent billions of dollars and added countless programs to the homeless situation and to suicide prevention, and seen nothing. I'm ready to see results. I'm ready to take whatever we have and say, 'What can we do better?'".
Suicide Prevention Efforts
The VA will continue to play a critical role in reducing veteran suicides in 2025, which has remained a largely bipartisan issue, through a number of outreach programs and innovative initiatives like Mission Daybreak.
If you're in crisis: Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for immediate, confidential support.
Budget and Funding Outlook
Understanding the VA's budget helps veterans know what to expect in terms of services and benefits.
The Department of Veterans Affairs budget would see a 4% boost in programmatic funding under President Trump's initial budget plan for fiscal 2026, with the White House plan calling for a $5.4 billion boost in VA program spending.
What's Protected
There are no proposals to cut or reduce individual VA disability payments, with VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz stating "We will not be eliminating any benefits or services to Veterans or VA beneficiaries, and there will be no negative impact to VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries".
Collins promised "there are no cuts to benefits and healthcare for the veteran. Period. It's not happening".
Understanding Potential Concerns and Changes
While the administration has committed to protecting veteran benefits, it's important to stay informed about ongoing discussions and potential policy considerations.
Workforce Changes
Department leadership dismissed about 1,000 probationary workers in February, and Collins acknowledged the dismissals in his speech and conceded "yes, there may be others," but said the department has already seen significant savings from those moves and started to redirect that money back into veterans' care programs.
Policy Discussions
New OMB Director Russell Vought contributed to two conservative playbooks that advocate for the revamping of veterans' disability compensation, but Cole Lyle, the American Legion's national veterans and rehabilitation director, said the Trump administration has not "given any indication" that means-testing for veterans disability compensation is a priority.
What This Means: Veterans service organizations are actively monitoring any potential policy changes and have pledged strong opposition to any attempts to reduce earned benefits.
How to Access Your Veterans Benefits in 2025
Apply for Healthcare
Online: Visit VA.gov/health-care/apply
Phone: Call toll-free at 1-800-MYVA411 (1-800-698-2411)
In Person: Visit your nearest VA Medical Center or clinic
File for Disability Benefits
Complete VA Form 21-526EZ online at VA.gov
Contact the Veterans Crisis Line if you need immediate support: 988 (press 1)
PACT Act Benefits
Visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn about PACT Act eligibility and apply for toxic exposure-related benefits.
Get Help Navigating the System
If you need assistance understanding or accessing your benefits:
Contact your local Veterans Service Organization (VSO)
Reach out to your state's Department of Veterans Services
Use resources like the Veteran Services Directory to find trusted local resources and assistance
Key Legislation Moving Forward
Implementation of the Elizabeth Dole Act—enacted in the waning days of the 118th Congress—will be a priority in the 119th Congress, containing over 80 provisions touching on veterans' community care, caregiver support, educational assistance and myriad other programs.
Veterans' Trust in the VA
Despite challenges and changes, veteran satisfaction with VA services remains strong. Veteran trust in VA has never been higher, increasing 25% to an all-time high of 80.4% since VA began administering the "VSignals" survey in 2016, and veterans' trust in outpatient health care has increased to 91.8%, also an all-time high.
What Veterans Should Do Now
Stay Informed: Keep up with VA announcements and policy changes through official VA channels and trusted veteran service organizations.
Apply for Benefits: Don't wait to apply for benefits you've earned. The PACT Act has made millions of veterans newly eligible for healthcare and disability compensation.
Get Screened: If you're enrolled in VA healthcare, schedule your toxic exposure screening to ensure any service-related health issues are identified and treated early.
Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with your benefits and don't hesitate to seek help from VSOs or veteran advocates if you encounter obstacles.
Document Everything: Keep thorough records of your service, medical conditions, and all interactions with the VA.
Conclusion: A Year of Opportunity for Veterans
2025 represents a pivotal year for veterans benefits and VA services. With Secretary Collins expressing optimism, stating "I still believe deeply in this country. I believe that our best days are ahead of us; I believe that the things we've got to do is break out of this mire that we can't fix things, because we can fix things", the administration has set ambitious goals for improving veteran care and benefits delivery.
The continuation and expansion of the PACT Act, combined with modernization efforts, expanded community care options, and a renewed focus on veteran-centered service, creates opportunities for millions of veterans to access the care and benefits they've earned.
As always, the veteran community must stay vigilant, informed, and engaged. By understanding your benefits, knowing where to get help, and staying connected with veteran service organizations, you can navigate the VA system successfully and receive the care and support you deserve.
Resources:
VA Official Website: VA.gov
PACT Act Information: VA.gov/PACT
Veterans Crisis Line: 988 (Press 1) or VeteransCrisisLine.net
VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-MYVA411 (1-800-698-2411)
Find Local Resources: Veteran Services Directory
This article was last updated November 2025. VA policies and benefits are subject to change. Always verify current information with official VA sources or trusted veteran service organizations.
Keywords: veterans benefits 2025, VA benefits, Doug Collins VA Secretary, PACT Act benefits, toxic exposure veterans, veterans healthcare, community care, veterans disability benefits, Trump administration VA, veteran services
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are veteran disability benefits being cut in 2025? A: No. The VA Secretary has stated clearly that there are no plans to cut individual veteran disability benefits or healthcare services.
Q: What is the PACT Act and am I eligible? A: The PACT Act expands healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during service. If you served in specific locations after 1990 (including Gulf War and post-9/11 service areas), you may be eligible. Visit VA.gov/PACT to check your eligibility.
Q: How do I access community care options? A: Talk to your VA healthcare provider about community care eligibility, or contact your local VA facility to learn about available options in your area.
Q: What should I do if I'm having trouble getting my VA benefits? A: Contact a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) at organizations like the American Legion, VFW, or DAV. They provide free assistance navigating the VA system. You can also reach out to your congressional representative's office for help.
Q: How long does it take to process a disability claim in 2025? A: Processing times vary, but the VA has been processing claims at record speeds. Check your claim status at VA.gov or through the VA mobile app.