The VA Benefits Transparency Index: the 2026 edition.
Eight surfaces of the benefits system, each measured on eight evidence-cited transparency dimensions and mapped to a descriptive tier, from Fully transparent to Opaque. There are no letter grades and no single composite: every tier publishes with its full worksheet, the checkable evidence behind each score, and the specific artifacts VA could publish to raise it. Nothing here scores VA's decisions - only whether the public can see and verify what the system is doing.
Fully transparent: 85 and above. Mostly transparent: 70 to 84. Partial: 55 to 69. Limited: 35 to 54. Opaque: below 35. This edition publishes no overall composite: eight surfaces measured separately do not compress honestly into one number, and unstated compression choices are exactly what this Index measures against.
The eight surfaces
The surface list was frozen before scoring began and does not change during this edition. Open any surface for its full worksheet, the evidence behind each score, and what would raise it.
Edition notes
- The surface list was frozen before scoring and does not change during this edition, per the methodology.
- This edition publishes no single composite score for VA. Eight surfaces measured separately do not compress honestly into one number, and unstated compression choices are exactly what this Index measures against.
- Scores map to descriptive transparency tiers rather than letter grades. The tiers describe what the public can see and verify; they are not a judgment of VA's decisions or its people.
- A dimension marked n/a does not apply to that surface; its weight is excluded and the remaining weights renormalize. Which dimensions were excluded is shown on every worksheet.
- Every surface lists the specific artifacts VA could publish that would raise its score. The Index is a measurement and a roadmap, not a verdict.
- Every dimension score cites dated, publicly checkable evidence. Where the Desk's own records supply the evidence, those records are published and linked.
- Consistent with the methodology, this edition will be shared with VA public affairs for comment; any response received will be published on this page.
2026 edition (first edition), frozen 2026-08-24 under rubric version 1.1. Scores are never recomputed after freezing; corrections are logged as dated notes. The scoring rules live on the methodology page.