Even More Bucks for Veterans Benefits Management System

Yesterday I reported that the VA planned to fund its core benefits paperless processing system -- the Veterans Benefits Management System -- with a proposed budget of $35.1 million for 2012, down $8.3 million from the $43.4 million requested in 2011.

But, that's just the Veterans Benefits Administration budget for VBMS. The VA IT budget request for 2012 includes $148 million for VBMS, down from the $152.5 million requested in 2011 -- whenever Congress gets around to passing a 2011 appropriations bill.

I also reported that VBA proposed a 2012 budget of $6.3 million for the Veterans Relationship Management system to improve communications with veterans. The 2012 VA IT budget also includes $108 million for the Veterans Relationship Management system, down $51.7 million from $156.3 million on the 2011 budget -- if Congress acts on the 2011 appropriations bill

Next year I promise to read both the VBA and VA IT budget before I write.

So much budget, so little time....