Annual Pay Ranges for Physicians, Dentists, Podiatrists, and Optometrists of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Veterans Affairs [Docket No. VA-2025-VACO-0002] AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hereby giving notice of an update to annual pay ranges, which is the sum of the base pay rate and market pay for VHA physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and optometrists as prescribed by the Secretary for Department-wide applicability. Optometrists are now included in the annual pay ranges pursuant to the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The pay table placement of optometrists is intended to enhance the flexibility of the Department to recruit, develop, and retain the most highly qualified optometrists to serve our Nation's veterans and maintain a standard of excellence in the VA health care system. DATES: Annual pay ranges are applicable beginning on December 28, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Tolley, Human Resources Specialist (Compensation), Human Resources Center of Expertise, Workforce Management and Consulting Office, Veterans Health Administration, (843) 864-3630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background As required by the “Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Enhancement Act of 2004,” ( Pub. L. 108-445 dated December 3, 2004) VA is hereby giving notice of annual pay ranges for VHA physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and optometrists as prescribed by the Secretary for Department-wide applicability. The major provi…