Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2026

This bill expands access to VA disability examinations for rural veterans by allowing a broader range of health care professionals to conduct these exams under temporary contracts. It revises eligibility requirements to include any licensed health care professional (replacing specific titles like "physicians assistants" with a general category) who meets state licensing standards and is contracted by the VA. The bill extends the temporary authority for these contracts until September 30, 2031, and requires the VA to report on exam volume, costs, and accuracy within 15 months of enactment. These changes aim to improve timely benefit access in rural areas where specialized examiners may be scarce.