8/15/2025 Veterans’ benefits and healthcare from the past two weeks:
Here are the key updates on veterans’ benefits and healthcare from the past two weeks:
💰 VA Disability Compensation – August 2025
Veterans receiving VA disability compensation will see a 2.5% increase in their monthly payments, effective August 29, 2025. This adjustment aligns with the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). For example, a single veteran with a 100% disability rating and no dependents will receive approximately $3,357 per month, while those with dependents or Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) may receive up to $4,196 monthly .The Economic Times+1Sjnhmch.org
🏥 VA Healthcare – Staffing Challenges
A recent audit by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General revealed severe staffing shortages across all 139 VA medical centers in the U.S. 94% reported shortages in medical officer roles, and 79% in nursing roles. These shortages have worsened over the past year amid significant workforce reductions and fewer medical recruits .The Washington Post+2AP News+2AP News
Additionally, the VA has announced plans to reduce its total staff by nearly 30,000 employees by the end of fiscal year 2025, achieved through normal attrition, early retirements, and deferred resignations .AP News+3VA News+3The Washington Post+3
📚 Education Benefits – Fry Scholarship Expansion
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, which provides education benefits to the children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty, has temporarily expanded eligibility. This expansion applies to terms with a start date on or after August 1, 2025, and before October 1, 2027 .Benefits
🧾 VALife Insurance Program – Over $2 Billion in Coverage
The VALife program, which provides up to $40,000 of whole life insurance coverage to veterans with service-connected disabilities, has already provided over $2 billion in total coverage to more than 60,000 veterans since its launch in 2023 .GovDelivery
⚖️ Supreme Court Ruling – “Benefit-of-the-Doubt” Standard
In the Supreme Court case Bufkin v. Collins, the Court held that the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims must apply clear error review when reviewing the VA’s application of the “benefit-of-the-doubt rule” regarding a veteran’s claim to a service-related disability .Wikipedia
🏥 VA Clinic Lease Renewal – Stamford, CT
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has renewed its lease for the Stamford Community Based Outpatient Clinic at 1275 Summer Street for one year. Despite ongoing rumors of potential closure, the lease renewal marks the 12th extension since the VA established the clinic’s location in 2005 .Stamford Advocate
