The department is about 15% ahead of its claims workload pace from last summer.
Karen Brazell currently works as a senior VA advisor and would serve as the department's next Under Secretary for Benefits.
A war with China would include fierce naval battles and require the Air Force to take out enemy ships with weapons such as Quicksink.
The appropriations plan would add more than $80 billion to the current VA funding level, giving the department its biggest budget ever.
