The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to expand its use of automation in disability claims as reviewers have identified errors in some cases that used the technology, according to reporting published Monday by The Beam and distributed by The Associated Press.
The software gathers records and creates a summary for claims staff. The Beam reported that in one 2025 case, a review board found discrepancies between the summary and the veteran’s service treatment records. The report also describes cases in which claims advanced without an examination needed to develop the evidence.
What the VA plans to expand
The VA’s benefits modernization plan describes using automation to assemble information for claims and improve quality reviews. The Beam reported that the department aims to apply the tool to 90 percent of claims by the end of 2027, citing its budget request.
As the VA expands the tool, the question is whether its reviews catch missing evidence before a decision is made. A record summary can help a reviewer locate relevant material, but an omitted exam or a discrepancy with the underlying record can affect what evidence the reviewer has available.