Veterans’ Caregiver Appeals Modernization Act of 2025
The Veterans’ Caregiver Appeals Modernization Act of 2025 would strengthen and modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs’ program that provides comprehensive assistance to eligible veterans’ family caregivers. It directs the VA to create a single digital system that lets VA personnel (specifically in the Veterans Health Administration and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals) access an applicant’s caregiver stipend claim and all related documents. It also expands training requirements so staff handling caregiver appeals receive the same guidance and training as higher-level adjudicators. Importantly, if a veteran dies during the pendency of an appeal, the bill ensures that the caregiver’s eligibility for monthly caregiver stipends is preserved to the date of death and for any unpaid amounts. The bill directs consideration of lessons from other VA digital systems (notably VBMS) and best practices for standardizing staff training.
Key Points
- 1Creates a single digital system for VA employees evaluating caregiver stipend applications and any related appeals, allowing access to each application and all associated documents.
- 2Applies to employees of the Veterans Health Administration and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals involved in caregiver stipend decisions or appeals.
- 3If a veteran dies during an appeal, preserves the caregiver’s eligibility to receive monthly stipends (based on the date of death and any unpaid amounts).
- 4Requires VA staff handling caregiver appeals to receive the same guidance and training as higher-level adjudicators under VA’s section 5104B framework.
- 5Requires the VA to consider lessons from the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) and to assess whether other VHA programs could benefit from a single digital system and standardized staff training.