Veterans' Issues
- Presentation
Trends in Total Costs of Military Compensation
Presentation by F. M. Woodward, an analyst in CBO's National Security Division, at the Defense Manpower Roundtable.
- Working Paper
Accrual Accounting for Veterans' Benefits: Working Paper 2026-07
CBO explains how it estimated that VA benefits would cost about $90,000 annually per active-duty service member if accrual accounting methods were used to fund future disability and health benefits that many veterans will receive.
- Graphic
Atlas of Military Compensation, 2026
In the President's 2026 budget request, total military compensation is $718 billion. Of that total, $277 billion is for the Department of Defense, and $441 billion is for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Report
The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2026 to 2036
In CBO's projections, the federal budget deficit in fiscal year 2026 is $1.9 trillion, and federal debt rises to 120 percent of GDP in 2036. Economic growth strengthens in 2026 and moderates in later years.
- Cost Estimate
H.R. 3579, Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on July 23, 2025
- Cost Estimate
H.R. 2605, Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on July 23, 2025
- Cost Estimate
H.R. 3455, Veterans Affairs Distributed Ledger Innovation Act of 2025
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on July 23, 2025
- Presentation
Trends in Spending for Military Compensation
Presentation by F. M. Woodward, an analyst in CBO's National Security Division, at the Defense Manpower Roundtable.
- Graphic
Atlas of Military Compensation, 2024
In the President’s 2025 budget request, total military compensation is $600 billion, including veterans' benefits. That amount represents an increase of 162 percent since 1980 (and 151 percent since 1999) after removing inflation’s effects.
- Report
The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2025 to 2035
In CBO’s projections, the federal budget deficit is $1.9 trillion this year, and federal debt rises to 118 percent of GDP in 2035. Economic growth slows and inflation declines over the next two years; both remain moderate after 2026.