VA Extends Contract Authority for Disability Exams Until 2031, Broadens Access for Rural Veterans

The “Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025” is a targeted update to how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) handles medical disability exams, which are critical for veterans seeking benefits. Essentially, this bill is about making sure veterans—especially those living far from VA facilities—can actually get their required medical checkups without waiting forever. It does this by fixing the rules around who the VA can contract with to perform these exams outside of the traditional VA system.

Expanding the Roster for Faster Service

Previously, the VA’s authority to use contract healthcare professionals for these exams was limited to a specific list of roles (like physicians, PAs, NPs, etc.). This bill scraps that specific list and replaces it with the broader term “healthcare professionals” who are generally eligible for VA employment under existing law (specifically, section 7402(b) of title 38, U.S. Code). The catch is that these professionals must hold a current, unrestricted license in some state and cannot be barred from practicing anywhere. What does this mean in practice? The VA gets a much bigger pool of clinicians—from various specialties—who can be quickly brought on contract to perform these evaluations. For a veteran in a remote area, this could be the difference between driving three hours to a VA center or being able to see a qualified local provider just 20 minutes away.

Keeping the Temporary System Running

This contract authority was originally set up as a temporary measure, and it was slated to expire soon. The bill pushes the sunset date way out, extending the VA’s ability to use these outside contractors until September 30, 2031. This is a significant extension that signals this contract model is becoming a long-term strategy for managing the massive workload of disability exams. While this extension is great for maintaining access, especially in rural areas where VA staffing is tough, it does rely heavily on a system that was originally designed to be temporary. The reliance on contractors, while necessary for speed and access, is something to watch in terms of long-term VA staffing strategy.

Accountability and the Fine Print

Even while expanding the program, the bill mandates a serious dose of accountability. Within 15 months of the bill becoming law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must deliver a detailed report to Congress on how this contract authority is being used. This isn't just a headcount; the report must include the total number of exams performed, the cost, and—most importantly—data on the timeliness and legal sufficiency of those exams. They have to break down this data by the type of professional and the contract used, and report where the exams took place. Crucially, the VA must also flag any exams that were performed incorrectly (by unauthorized personnel) and detail a plan to fix those mistakes. For veterans, this reporting requirement is key: it’s the mechanism that ensures that the speed gained by using contractors doesn't come at the expense of quality or accuracy in their disability claims.