The Essential Role and Ongoing Challenges of Veteran Benefits
PRAY FIRST for God’s guidance to direct the president, congressional leaders, and all who set policy to care for those who willingly gave of themselves in service of their country.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
As federal agencies look for ways to trim excess federal spending, conversations have arisen about cutting the costs related to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Some of this comes in the forms of potential budget cuts, re-allocation of funds, layoffs, and overall restructuring. However, what does the VA do and what is its responsibility? To fully understand this department’s function in the U.S., we must first go back to its inception, its purpose, and where it has evolved today.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for guaranteeing that those who have served in the American military receive the care and benefits that they have earned. Established in 1930 and elevated to a Cabinet-level department in 1989, the VA provides essential healthcare, education, housing, and financial assistance to millions of veterans. Over the decades, the VA has evolved to address the shifting needs of former service members, yet challenges remain in efficiency, accessibility, and funding.
VA Benefits and Services
Veterans Affairs manages a range of programs to assist those who have served in the armed forces. These include:
– Healthcare Services: The VA operates one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., offering primary care, mental health services, specialized treatments, and long-term care to eligible veterans.
– Disability Compensation: Veterans with service-related disabilities receive financial support, with payments determined by the severity of their conditions.
– Education and Training: Programs such as the G.I. Bill provide tuition assistance, job training, and other educational resources to veterans and their families.
– Housing and Home Loans: VA-backed home loans help veterans purchase homes without requiring a down payment.
– Pension Programs: Low-income wartime veterans may qualify for additional financial assistance.
Eligibility for these services is based on service duration, discharge status, and specific needs. While many veterans benefit from these programs, others experience difficulties in accessing the support they require.
Department Funding and Challenges
The VA’s budget has grown significantly in response to the increasing needs of veterans. However, funding concerns persist. In fiscal year 2025, the VA projected a $6.6 billion shortfall in healthcare funding due to rising costs and demand. Inflation also complicates budget planning, as higher costs affect service delivery. While Congress holds the power to allocate VA funding, debates continue over whether current allocations sufficiently address veterans’ needs.
A well-funded VA ensures that veterans receive timely medical attention, disability benefits, and career support. Nevertheless, if funding is inadequate, delays in care, reductions in housing assistance, and limited mental health resources may arise—significantly affecting the well-being of those who have served. Policymakers and advocacy groups continue to strive for increased allocations to keep up with the growing veteran population.
Despite noble intentions, administrative inefficiencies often delay benefits—causing financial and emotional strain. Healthcare accessibility remains a major issue, particularly in rural areas where long wait times and limited medical facilities create barriers to care. Additionally, disparities in benefits exist among veterans from different service periods and conflicts. These ongoing issues underscore the need for reforms to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and fairness within the VA system.
Efforts to improve the VA have included legislative measures such as expanding telehealth services and reducing wait times, yet systemic challenges remain. Recent programs aimed at streamlining disability claim processing have shown mixed results, highlighting the continued need for additional staff, updated technology, and operational improvements to better serve veterans.
The Future of VA Affairs
Most recently, the 2018 MISSION Act expanded veterans’ access to community care, enhanced support for family caregivers, improved telehealth services, and strengthened the VA’s ability to recruit and retain medical providers. Building on this, the Complete the Mission Act of 2024 codified community care access standards, required transparency in VA wait times, promoted telehealth and value-based care models, and established standards for substance abuse treatment access. It has provisions for periodic reviews every three years to ensure the program can remain effective and can be adjusted to best fit needs as they arise.
Moving forward, to guarantee the continued support of veterans, several key options are being evaluated by those in the government. Adequate funding must be prioritized to align the VA budget with the needs of an aging and growing veteran population. Policy reforms, such as simplifying application processes and expanding eligibility criteria, would make it easier for veterans to access their benefits. Increasing public awareness through civic engagement and advocacy efforts could help ensure that veterans’ rights remain a national priority. Expanded mental health support is also critical, as increasing resources for PTSD treatment, counseling, and suicide prevention efforts would greatly improve the well-being of struggling veterans. Lastly, strengthening job placement programs would help veterans transition more smoothly into civilian careers, ensuring long-term stability and success.
President Trump has often emphasized his commitment to the welfare of our veterans and to prioritize veterans’ healthcare. During his confirmation hearing January 21, 2025, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins pledged to preserve veterans benefits and not “balance the budgets on the backs of veterans.”
Why It Matters and How We Can Respond
The VA plays a vital role in supporting veterans, but challenges persist in ensuring equitable and efficient service delivery. We are called to honor and care for those who have sacrificed for others. Veterans have made profound commitments to the nation, often at great personal cost. Proverbs 3:27 says, ”Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” This verse reminds us of our responsibility to support those in need, including those who have served in the military. Caring for veterans also correlates with biblical principles of stewardship and compassion. Beyond government action, individuals and faith communities can support veterans through local initiatives, outreach programs (finding suitable housing and adequate employment), and advocacy efforts. At the ground level, many of us either work closely with veterans and can provide employment opportunities, mentorship, and emotional support for veterans. This reflects Christ’s command to love our neighbors and care for those in distress. Lastly, pray for those who served their country and thank God that they sacrificed on our behalf.
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HOW THEN SHOULD WE PRAY:
— Pray for wisdom for the leaders in charge of veterans’ affairs to make decisions that prioritize fairness and efficiency in delivering benefits to those who have served. Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
— Pray for the Lord to help communities become places of refuge and restoration for veterans and to inspire individuals, churches, and organizations to extend kindness, employment opportunities, and friendship to those who have served. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16
CONSIDER THESE ITEMS FOR PRAYER:
- Pray for God to be at work in and through the president, the secretary of Veterans Affairs, and all in the administration as they create policy to meet the needs of America’s veterans.
- Pray for veterans who are struggling with physical and mental wounds.
- Pray for those seeking stable employment and financial security
- Pray for God to strengthen the families of veterans who have sacrificed alongside their loved ones
Sources: Congressional Budget Office, Federal News Network, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
