Reform the VA.

This article examines the growing budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in relation to the declining number of veterans. Despite increased funding, the VA has not effectively addressed issues such as backlogged benefits claims, veteran suicide, homelessness, and the implementation of a new electronic health records system. The article argues that the rising budget is unsustainable and fails to adequately care for veterans. It also highlights the complexity and lack of transparency in the VA's budget process. The main driver of the budget growth is the Veterans Benefit Administration and the VA Disability Compensation program, which have seen an increase in disability payments due to the aging veteran population and the expansion of medical conditions eligible for claims. The article acknowledges the importance of supporting veterans with genuine conditions but emphasizes the need to address fraud and prioritize treatment for those in need. It calls for a re-evaluation of policies and outcomes to better serve veterans and the country as a whole. [Extracted from the article]