In April 2024, James W. Smith II was appointed to serve as the Deputy Executive Director of Policy and Procedures, Compensation Service. In this role, he provides oversight and guidance for the policy, procedures, MilPay/interagency collaborations, military exposures, and Veterans Affairs schedule for rating disabilities staffs. He is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures related to the administration of VA disability compensation programs, which paid more than $134 billion to over 5.6 million Veterans (FY23).
Prior to this appointment, he served as the Assistant Director for Systems Support and Operational Review in Compensation Service.
From 2017 – 2021, he served as the Special Missions Program Officer for the Seattle Regional Office with oversight of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, a collaborative Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense program designed to improve the disability evaluation process and facilitate the transition for Service members facing potential medical discharge.
