The Department of Veterans Affairs could soon be exploring the potential benefits of blockchain technology, thanks to a proposed bill currently under consideration in the House. The “Veterans Affairs Distributed Ledger Innovation Act of 2025” (H.R. 3455) aims to assess how distributed ledger technology, like blockchain, could improve the agency’s claims systems.
Introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace, the bill passed a crucial checkpoint with a hearing before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on June 11. Now, it awaits a vote by the full chamber.
If passed, the bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a thorough study on how distributed ledgers could enhance the transparency, traceability, and resistance to fraud in benefits adjudication. This initiative comes in response to ongoing concerns about the slow and opaque processing of claims, as well as data errors that can lead to delays or errors in payments to veterans.
One of the key features of the bill is the emphasis on creating immutable records using distributed ledger technology. By securely logging each step in a claim, verifying information to prevent false filings, and flagging irregularities in benefit delivery, the VA aims to streamline the claims process and improve accuracy.
To ensure a comprehensive study, the department would collaborate with technologists, veterans’ service organizations, and other federal agencies already exploring distributed ledger technology. Within a year of the bill’s enactment, the Secretary would report back to Congress with findings on the feasibility, benefits, risks, and recommendations for pilot programs.
The bill also provides a clear definition of distributed ledger technology, aiming to avoid confusion over whether the VA could fulfill the mandate using traditional databases labeled as such. If approved by the House, the bill would move to the Senate for further consideration.
This veteran-focused proposal is part of a broader trend in Congress towards exploring the potential of blockchain technology. Other related bills include the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act by Rep. Tom Emmer and the Deploying American Blockchains Act by Rep. Bernie Moreno.
As the House continues to deliberate on the bill, stakeholders in the veterans’ community and the blockchain industry are closely watching to see how this initiative could transform the way benefits are adjudicated and delivered to those who have served our country.