veterans claims pilot program

HB 2245 establishes a two-year pilot program in Arizona to test a digital system that helps veterans' service offices prepare complete disability claims for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The program integrates with existing state veteran benefits counselors, county offices, and tribal programs, using a technology system to analyze medical and service records, identify supportable conditions, and create fully developed claim packets for submission. It requires comparing results between offices using the technology and a control group, measuring outcomes like claim preparation time, first-time approval rates, and veteran satisfaction. The program, running until 2027, aims to evaluate if this approach improves claim efficiency without replacing human counselors or altering veterans' access to traditional support.