Six Important Veteran News Stories of 2024

2024 was another significant year in veteran’s news. The VA routinely faced criticism for its internal handling of funds and care for veterans, the PACT Act saw big changes and reached a huge milestone, and changes in VA leadership are looming as the year comes to an end. Below, we share six of the biggest veteran news stories of the year, as well as some of our biggest moments here at Woods & Woods.

1. One million PACT Act claims filed

After the passing of the PACT Act in 2021, tens of thousands of new VA claims were submitted to the VA, particularly regarding exposure to burn pit toxins. Veterans with rare cancers and a wide range of respiratory illnesses were finally able to get presumptive service connections and expedite their claims process.

Nearly two years after the law passed, VA officials announced this past May they had reached an impressive benchmark: approving one million PACT Act claims, with a 75% approval rate. These veterans have received $5.7 billion so far. 

2. McDonough’s time as VA secretary comes to a close

VA secretary Denis McDonough announced in late July that regardless of the results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, he will step down from his role in January 2025. McDonough was nominated by Joe Biden and has served as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs since February 2021. McDonough’s tenure was defined by the COVID pandemic, a number of mishaps surrounding the department’s budget and handling of funds, continuing issues with the health records modernization project, decreasing veteran homelessness, and increasing veteran suicide, among other challenges.

While McDonough explained his intentions to make room for “new blood” no matter the election results, president-elect Donald Trump has since tapped former Congressman and veteran Doug Collins to be the next VA Secretary.

3. VA makes significant changes to digestive ratings

In March, the VA announced long-anticipated changes to how they handle digestive system ratings. While more than 50 gastrointestinal health conditions were affected, VA disability ratings for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and hemorrhoids were most impacted. The VA Under Secretary for Benefits, Josh Jacobs, stated, “The updates will bring the rating criteria more closely in line with the stated purpose of the rating schedule, which is to provide evaluations based upon average impairment of earning capacity for each and every Veteran.” 

These changes, which went into effect in May, should mean fewer noncompensable, or 0%, ratings for service-connected digestive issues.

4. VA faces repeated criticism

As in many years past, the VA consistently faced criticism in 2024. The department’s mishandling of funds was a key topic this year, first when more than $10 million allocated for thousands of staff members with high-demand skills was instead improperly awarded to senior officials. 

Later, the VA’s finances took center stage as a budgeting shortfall left veterans uncertain of whether they’d receive their VA disability payments. This was followed by statements from House lawmakers that the $15 billion shortfall the VA was claiming did not exist and that the department instead had a surplus of funds. The VA later countered this with a new estimate of a $6.6 billion shortfall, but the discussion is still ongoing.

The VA was also under fire this year for a “deeply disturbing” number of cancellations to VA mental health care appointments. An average of more than one in 10 mental health appointments was canceled between 2020 and 2023. A bipartisan group of lawmakers subsequently called for the VA to streamline its scheduling process. 

5. Bufkin v. McDonough reaches Supreme Court

In October, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case Bufkin v. McDonough. The plaintiffs in this case state the VBA and CAVC “failed to apply a ‘benefit-of-the-doubt’ rule that should have resulted in disability compensation awards.” This rule states the VA should always rule in favor of the veteran when there is a balance of evidence for and against their claim.

If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, Bufkin and Thornton, the implications could affect U.S. veterans in their current, future, or even past claims, as it could change the way the VA handles disability benefit cases.

6. Additional conditions added to PACT Act presumptives

In June, the VA announced male breast cancer, urethral cancer, and cancer of the paraurethral glands had all been added to the growing list of conditions covered under the PACT Act. These three cancers are now considered presumptively service connected to exposure to toxins, including those from burn pits, in the Persian Gulf War. Presumptive service connections can make the VA claims process easier for qualifying veterans, as they do not have to prove their service caused their health conditions.

The VA also announced in November it is in the process of adding leukemia and multiple myeloma to the list.

---

Woods & Woods’ Year in Review

2024 was a big year for the Woods & Woods team. We won veterans a grand total of more than  $130 million this year alone, and have been steadily growing our team to meet the needs of the veterans we work with. We hired 14 new staff members and promoted 11. We prepared to say goodbye to the current home we have outgrown, located in an historic jail, to move into a new, renovated space. We sponsored the Honor Flight of Southern Indiana’s 10th anniversary flight, helping ensure more than 80 veterans and their guardians were able to tour memorials erected in their honor in Washington, D.C. We are looking forward to another great year of fighting for veterans in 2025!