It is responsible for administering the department's programs that provide financial and other forms of assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors.

VBA has a history that can be traced back to the American Revolution when the Continental Congress passed the first national pension laws for wounded soldiers.

In the early 1800s, the clerical work related to veterans' claims was handled by a small office within the War Department.

Following the Civil War, the bureau's responsibilities expanded significantly as the federal government recognized diseases contracted during military service as grounds for disability claims.

The VA became the central agency responsible for administering a range of veterans' benefits, including medical care, disability compensation, and pensions.

Following World War II, the VA faced unprecedented challenges as millions of service members sought to claim their benefits.

The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, which was the original "GI Bill", provided education benefits, unemployment compensation, and home loans, significantly impacting the lives of returning veterans.

To manage the surge in claims, the VA expanded its workforce and facilities, leading to the establishment of the Department of Veterans Benefits in 1953, the direct predecessor of today's VBA.

Additionally, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) provides monthly benefits to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.

[9] The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

Additionally, VR&E supports independent living for veterans unable to work due to their disabilities through its readiness (rehabilitation) mission.

Compensation claims can be assigned to any regional office through the National Work Queue, ensuring efficient distribution of workload based on resource availability.

For fiscal year 2025, VBAs requested amounts emphasize the continued modernization efforts, including the expansion of the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), increased funding to support timely processing of claims, and the implementation of the Honoring our PACT Act, which addresses benefits related to toxic exposures.

Integrating electronic health records (EHR) systems aims to streamline the process, though technical and logistical challenges persist.

[7][22] Service quality across regional offices has been inconsistent, with veterans reporting varying experiences in accuracy, timeliness, and helpfulness.

[7][23] Modernizing VBA's technology infrastructure has been challenging, with outdated systems and technical glitches contributing to delays and inefficiencies.

Calls for increased transparency and better communication with veterans and the public aim to build trust and ensure accountability.

[24] VBA has launched various outreach and education initiatives, including online resources, informational webinars, and collaboration with veteran service organizations to increase awareness and access to benefits.