# VA and War Department Expand Records Access

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the War Department are establishing earlier, ongoing access to service members’ personnel and medical records so the Veterans Benefits Administration can reduce evidence-gathering delays in disability claims. The initiative has no identified solicitation, contract value, or procurement timeline, but it points to operational needs around secure records exchange and authorized access.

- Agencies and contractors with capabilities in records integration, data governance, secure exchange, and storage may find relevant requirements as the initiative develops.
- Procurement professionals should distinguish this operational development from an active competition: no solicitation or funding details are identified.
- VBA Chief Production Officer Derek Herbert said: “Whether the veteran files a claim day one, day two or a year down the road, whenever they need VA, we’re there and we have the records immediately.”

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Cybersecurity
**Published:** November 10, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
- War Department

### Key Quotes
> Whether the veteran files a claim day one, day two or a year down the road, whenever they need VA, we’re there and we have the records immediately.
> — Derek Herbert, VBA Chief Production Officer

### Sources
- [VBA Seeks Faster Claims With Day-One Access to Military Records | GovCIO Media & Research](https://govciomedia.com/vba-seeks-faster-claims-with-day-one-access-to-military-records) - GovCIO Media & Research