VA uses hundreds of AI systems, Veterans may not know when involved

The Department of Veterans Affairs operates 215 high-impact artificial intelligence systems according to its recently released 2025 AI Inventory, but many veterans remain unaware when these technologies are being used during their medical appointments or benefits processing. Military Times reporting reveals significant inconsistencies in how and when veterans are notified about AI involvement in their care, raising questions about transparency and informed consent across the VA system.

The VA's AI systems span health care documentation, benefits processing, and operational functions throughout the department. One prominent example is the Ambient AI Scribe tool, which assists providers in documenting medical appointments by recording and processing visit information. According to VA Press Secretary Quinn Slaven, providers are supposed to ask veterans at the beginning of each visit whether they consent to using this technology, explain how it works, and allow veterans to opt out or request the system be turned off at any time. However, veterans interviewed by Military Times reported vastly different experiences, with some being asked for consent while others said they were never informed AI was being used during their appointments.

This issue affects all veterans receiving VA health care or benefits services, regardless of disability rating or location. The concern extends beyond individual appointments because clinical documentation generated with AI assistance becomes part of veterans' permanent electronic health records. These records directly influence future treatment decisions, disability claims evaluations, and continuity of care for years to come. A missing detail or inaccurate entry created by an AI system could require repeated appointments, additional paperwork, or lengthy efforts to correct the record, potentially affecting disability compensation decisions and appeals.

The VA Office of Inspector General issued a preliminary advisory in January identifying potential patient safety risks related to the Veterans Health Administration's use of generative AI chat tools for clinical care and documentation. The watchdog found that VHA lacked a formal mechanism to identify, track, or resolve risks associated with generative AI, and noted that these systems can produce inaccurate outputs, including omissions, that could affect diagnosis and treatment decisions. While the advisory did not identify specific instances of patient harm, investigators expressed concern that the absence of standardized oversight processes could limit the department's ability to safeguard patient safety and address problems as they emerge.

For disabled veterans, the transparency issue carries particular weight because accurate medical documentation directly supports disability claims and ratings decisions. Jon Retzer, national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, emphasized that while the VA's public inventory represents an important step toward transparency, it provides limited insight into how systems are monitored after deployment or what accountability mechanisms exist when problems arise. Veterans should expect clear notification when artificial intelligence influences decisions affecting their care or benefits, along with ongoing monitoring, strong privacy protections, and meaningful human oversight.

Veterans should ask their providers directly whether AI systems are being used during appointments and request an explanation of how the technology functions and what role it plays in their care. If you are uncomfortable with AI-assisted documentation, you have the right to decline its use. Review your medical records regularly through the VA's online portal to ensure documentation accurately reflects your appointments and concerns, and report any inaccuracies immediately to your provider or patient advocate. Consider discussing AI notification practices with your veterans service organization representative, particularly if you are pursuing or maintaining a disability claim where accurate medical documentation is essential.