At a Senate hearing, Sen. Tommy Tuberville questioned whether the VBA needs subject matter experts to examine claims processes and recommend improvements.
Secretary Collins asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to stop its work during the government shutdown. Judges called the request "extreme."
Texas National Guard members are at an Army training center in Illinois, sent despite a lawsuit and vigorous opposition from Democratic elected leaders.
As the Trump administration engages in a campaign of mass deportations, military experts and veterans say immigrant troops and their relatives are targets.