WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of War to overhaul military-record sharing and benefits technology within six months, a move the administration estimates could cut another 20 to 30 days from claims processing for recently separated service members.
Executive Order 14426, signed Sept. 8, directs the departments to establish permanent, ongoing sharing of Official Military Personnel Files and Service Treatment Records from the time an individual enters military service through the period in which VA benefits are required.
The order targets delays caused by military personnel and medical records moving between the departments as service members transition out of active duty. Those records are used in determining access to health care, disability compensation, education and home-loan benefits.
VA reported that the average time to process disability-benefit claims has fallen 46% during the second Trump administration, from 141.5 days to 76.1 days. The department estimates continuous access to military records could reduce processing times for newly separated service members by another 20 to 30 days.
Within 180 days, VA and the Department of War must update information-technology systems, policies and related agreements to support continuous records exchange.
The departments also have 180 days to create digital tools using artificial intelligence and other technologies to streamline applications for veterans’ benefits through a single source that incorporates job-training and employment opportunities offered by the Department of Labor.
A more immediate requirement takes effect within 30 days: the Department of War must ensure that current service members’ personnel files, health records and Service Treatment Records are transferred to VA immediately when they are discharged or released from the Armed Forces.
The order also directs VA and the Department of War to review relevant technology and software contracts within 120 days, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Management and Budget.
Existing contracts are to be modified where legally permissible to require interoperability among military personnel, health and treatment-record systems. Future contracts for those systems must include the interoperability requirement.
“Giving VA continuous access to warfighters’ military records will eliminate weeks of waiting for Veterans applying for VA healthcare and financial benefits,” VA Secretary Doug Collins stated.
The order extends beyond benefits processing to the transition from military to civilian employment.
Within 180 days, the Department of War, working with Labor and VA, must update the Transition Assistance Program and related workforce programs so departing service members are connected, where practicable, with specific job openings tied to their skills and interests before leaving active duty.
Service members may instead choose career and technical education, Labor Department-funded employment or training programs, or registered apprenticeships for which they qualify.
The order also calls for separating service members to be connected with federal, state or local veterans representatives who can assist with applications for health care, disability compensation, home loans, employment, and education benefits.
The requirements are subject to existing law and available appropriations, and the order does not create an independently enforceable legal right or benefit.
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