DAV’S 2026 LEGISLATIVE ROADMAP TARGETS CLAIMS DELAYS AND TOXIC EXPOSURE REFORM
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The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has released its 2026 Critical Policy Goals, detailing plans for claims reform, toxic exposure accountability, and benefit protection.
DAV says these priorities match key issues Veterans are facing today: long waits for disability decisions, inconsistent application of toxic-exposure laws, and continuing debates about whether disability compensation should be reduced or limited.
“When Congress seeks to strengthen the lives of those who served, they rely on DAV’s proven leadership and expertise,” said Jon Retzer, DAV’s National Legislative Director.
A Disability Claim System Still Under Strain
DAV’s 2026 roadmap mainly focuses on the disability claims system, which handles hundreds of thousands of claims at any given time.
The Department of Veterans Affairs says a claim is 'backlogged' if it has been waiting for more than 125 days, and VA data shows that tens of thousands of Veterans are often in this situation. For many families, these wait times are more than mere numbers; they affect when medical care begins, when bills are paid, and when families can make important decisions.
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The VA has expanded access and processed more claims, but DAV says ongoing problems remain with accuracy and oversight.
Federal watchdogs have mirrored that concern. In a November 2025 report, the U.S. Government Accountability Office warned that errors in medical examinations contribute directly to delays and rework.
“Conducting quality exams is important because errors can result in expensive rework and delays in handling claims,” GAO stated.
DAV’s 2026 policy goals urge Congress to oversee the disability evaluation process, improve exams, and reduce unnecessary appeals and remands that force Veterans to repeat the process.
Toxic Exposure: Expanded Access, Incomplete Accountability
The PACT Act brought the largest expansion of toxic-exposure benefits in decades, but DAV says there are still gaps in how it is being implemented.
In its 2026 agenda, DAV says the law has expanded eligibility but warns that accountability has not kept up with demand.
"However, the PACT Act lacks adequate accountability measures to provide prompt decisions, leaving many veterans still waiting." - DAV
Oversight agencies have similarly flagged weaknesses in disability benefit processes. In testimony to Congress, the VA Office of Inspector General has identified inconsistent quality reviews and system vulnerabilities that can add to delays and rework.
DAV’s roadmap urges lawmakers to handle toxic-exposure claims accurately and quickly as new conditions and exposure locations emerge.
Protecting Disability Compensation and Ending Offsets
Another central pillar of DAV’s 2026 agenda is the protection of disability compensation itself.
“DAV strongly opposes any reduction or offset of VA disability compensation and supports full, concurrent receipt of earned benefits for all eligible veterans.” -DAV
DAV continues to push Congress to end offsets that reduce VA disability payments due to military retirement or separation pay. The group says disability compensation repays service-related injuries, and that is not a benefit to be traded or taxed.
Additionally, DAV calls on Congress to reject any attempts to reduce, offset, or tax Veterans’ disability benefits.
Survivor Benefits, Mental Health, and Long-Term Care
In addition to claims processing and compensation, DAV’s 2026 roadmap addresses other important issues affecting Veterans and their families.
These priorities include updating Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for survivors, improving mental health and suicide prevention programs, expanding access to long-term and assisted-living care, and closing gaps in care for women Veterans.
DAV’s national membership sets the agenda to reflect members’ priorities, not short-term legislative trends.
Why This Roadmap Matters Now
Lawmaking agendas can sometimes seem like abstract wish lists. DAV’s 2026 roadmap, however, addresses real problems in the Veterans’ benefits system, such as delays that affect economic security, access to care, and family planning for millions of Veterans.
DAV urges that better access to benefits must come with accountability, accuracy, and strong protection of earned compensation.
For Veterans still waiting for decisions, the outcome of this debate is not simply theoretical. It actually determines how much longer they will have to wait.
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BY NATALIE OLIVERIO
Veteran & Senior Contributor, Military News at VeteranLife
Navy Veteran
Natalie Oliverio is a Navy Veteran, journalist, and entrepreneur whose reporting brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to stories that matter most to military families. With more than 100 published articles, she has become a trusted voice on defense policy, family life, and issues shaping the...
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Natalie Oliverio is a Navy Veteran, journalist, and entrepreneur whose reporting brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to stories that matter most to military families. With more than 100 published articles, she has become a trusted voice on defense policy, family life, and issues shaping the...
