Veterans’ Caregiver Appeals Modernization Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Banks, Jim [R-IN]
Introduced
Summary
A single digital system for caregiver applications modernizes how the VA shares application files across its health and appeals offices. The bill also standardizes training for staff and defines caregiver stipend entitlement if a veteran dies while an appeal is pending.
Show full summary
- Family caregivers: Get clearer access to application files and decisions. If a veteran dies during an appeal, entitlement to monthly personal caregiver stipends is set based on the file as of the date of death and any unpaid amounts due on that date are recognized.
- VA employees and adjudicators: Every Veterans Health Administration and Board of Veterans' Appeals employee who evaluates caregiver applications or appeals must be able to view the full application and all attached documents in one digital system. Staff deciding caregiver appeals must receive the same guidance and complete the same training as higher-level disability adjudicators.
- VA operations: The Secretary must consider lessons from the Veterans Benefits Management System and whether other VHA programs would benefit from a single digital access system to streamline processing and improve consistency.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Caregiver stipend when veteran dies
If enacted, a family caregiver could receive the monthly personal caregiver stipend they were entitled to on the date an eligible veteran died while a related VA appeal was pending. Entitlement and the amount would be based on the records as of the date of death. The VA could pay amounts that were due but unpaid on that date.
One digital portal for caregiver applications
If enacted, the VA would have to build one digital system where staff can see each caregiver application and all attached documents. The Secretary would be required to consider lessons from the Veterans Benefits Management System. The Secretary would also consider whether other VHA programs could use a single system.
Same training for appeals staff
If enacted, the VA would require any VHA employee who evaluates caregiver appeals to get the same guidance and training as higher-level adjudicators. The Secretary would have to consider best practices used to standardize disability compensation training.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Banks, Jim [R-IN]
IN • R
Cosponsors
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov