As the new year rolls around, there are new changes for VA Benefits that many veterans and families might want to gather information on. Some of these changes include Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) increases, longer term access to GI Bill benefits for reenlisted veterans, care for additional conditions from toxic exposures, revisions of ratings for mental health conditions, and creation of new programs for specific disabilities.

Cost-of-Living-Adjustment Increases

The largest change the VA members may see in 2025 is the increase in COLA. COLA was created to help keep VA disability consistent with inflation. This will allow for veterans who are on disability to still have the means to purchase necessities as the cost of living increases. 

By 2025, monthly payments will reflect the anticipated 2.5% increase rate.

Longer Term Access to GI Bill Benefits

GI Bill benefits are important to many veterans and their families. The Department of Veterans Affairs came to an agreement and has now updated the process for GI Bill benefits. This means that veterans who served in multiple time periods, for instance someone who may have reenlisted, will qualify for an additional 12 months of educational benefits. 

The previous policy stated that eligible veterans who served two or more periods could receive a maximum of 36 months towards educational benefits. Within this new decision eligible veterans can now receive a total of 48 months. 

Additional Care from Toxic Exposures

The VA is actively expanding the list of possible conditions linked to toxic exposures. Some examples of these conditions include burn pits and Agent Orange. There has been a large increase in public awareness when it comes to these certain health risks. It seems that the VA will continue to add onto the existing list.

Some of the conditions that the VA is considering adding in the future include additional cancers, neurological disorders, and chronic respiratory diseases. All of these conditions could have been a part of an exposure to toxic chemicals while serving. New additions to the list may allow for veterans to qualify for disability and simplify the claims process for those who have struggled in the past. 

Revisions of Ratings for Mental Health Conditions

The discussion about revising the VA’s rating system for mental health conditions has become a relevant topic recently. Some examples of these conditions include PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression. As of now, the VA’s overall ratings are based on the degree of social and occupational impairment. Yet, some argue that this rating system is a bit too specific and does not take into account the many other symptoms that a person could be experiencing. That being said, evaluators might change how they assess veteran’s claims. This will potentially result in higher or lower ratings depending on the persons symptoms.

New Programs for Specific Disabilities

There may be a possibility for new program openings for specific disabilities. This would ultimately improve support and care for veterans. Some possible examples of disabilities would include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), limb amputations, and spinal cord injuries. If these new programs open, there would be a change for additional benefits and specialized care that may not be offered already. Veterans would have the opportunity to improve their quality of life, manage their disability more effectively, and have more access to better resources.