The end of April marked the first 100 days of the second Trump Administration—and what a 100 days it has been! From leadership changes, to personnel cuts, to program reforms, we break down what you need to know about the first 100 days—and what is coming next.
Personnel Changes
Following President Trump’s nomination, the Honorable Douglas A. Collins was sworn in as the 12th secretary of Veterans Affairs on Feb. 5, 2025. Prior to joining the VA, Secretary Collins was a pastor, a state legislator, a lawyer, a U.S. Representative for Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District, and an Air Force Reserve chaplain.
The VA also changed course on its remote work policy, requiring thousands of employees to return to the office. Political appointees, senior executive service members, SES equivalents, senior level and scientific and professional employees are no longer eligible for remote work arrangements with the VA.
Expanding Healthcare Options
During President Trump’s first 100 days, the VA opened six new health care clinics around the country. The VA also accelerated the deployment of its Electronic Heath Records system, by adding more VA medical centers and clinics to the list of locations that will use the system in 2026.
DEI Cuts
The Trump administration has focused on DEI cuts across the board and the VA has been no exception. During the first 100 days, the VA has phased out treatment for gender dysphoria and announced that all savings resulting from this phase out will be directed to helping paralyzed Veterans and amputees. The VA also ended its DEI initiatives, including removing nearly 60 employees and canceling contracts, all totaling around $14 million.
Increased Claim Processing
In February 2025, during the first 100 days of the Trump administration, the VA announced that it had already processed more than a million disability claims in Fiscal Year 2025, reaching the milestone nearly two weeks faster than it did in Fiscal Year 2024. VA also announced that the 10 highest “claims processing days” in VA’s history occurred in February. February 12, 2025 was the highest claims processing day ever, with 12,000 claims processed in one day. The VA has said that as of February 25th, of the more than one million claims processed in Fiscal Year 2025, over 60% were granted.
Although it is helpful for veterans to receive quick adjudication on their decisions, it is unclear how many of these decisions will require appeal.
What’s Next?
On May 9, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to improve care for veterans, increase accountability for such care, and establish a National Center for Warrior Independence for homeless Veterans. The Executive Order directs the VA to do the following:
- Establish the National Center for Warrior Independence on the Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus. This Center will aim to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028 and promote self-sufficiency through housing, substance abuse treatment, and support for productive work for the Veterans housed there.
- Restore accountability at the VA, including taking action against employees who have committed misconduct and investigating the previous administration’s decision to rehire and reinstate back pay for employees previously fired for misconduct.
- Provide reduced wait times for Veterans Health Administration appointments through options such as expanded hours, weekend appointments, and virtual healthcare.
- Conduct a feasibility study at the Manchester VA Medical Center to expand services to support a full-service medical center in New Hampshire (currently the only state without a full-service medical center).
While VA has touted the changes made during the first 100 days of Trump’s second presidency as increasing efficiency, resources, and support for veterans, not all changes will be positive. By cutting the workforce and processing claims faster, it is likely that VA decisional errors will be made.
If the VA has made an error in deciding your claim for VA disability benefits, and you’d like assistance with the appeal, Vets National Advocates is available to discuss your appeal options.
Call 877-777-4021. Or, fill out our Denied Claims Rapid Response Form today!
