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Latest release: Component Library v56.16.1 (Oct 5, 2026)

About

What's new?

The latest news and updates on the VA Design System.
October 6, 2026

What’s Changed

Full Changelog: https://va.ghe.com/software/vets-design-system-documentation/compare/2026-09-17…2026-10-06
September 17, 2026

What’s Changed

Full Changelog: https://va.ghe.com/software/vets-design-system-documentation/compare/2026-08-31-2…2026-09-17
September 3, 2026

What’s Changed

Full Changelog: https://va.ghe.com/software/vets-design-system-documentation/compare/2026-08-31…2026-08-31-2

 v56.16.1
October 5, 2026

What’s Changed

Fixes

CSS Library

  • CSS-Library: update line-height-2 so that it matches USWDS by @JAMI-GIBBS in #2332

Full Changelog: https://va.ghe.com/software/component-library/compare/v56.16.0…v56.16.1

 v56.16.0
September 29, 2026

What’s Changed

New Features & Components 🎉

Fixes

  • va-details: update styles to stablize icon alignment by @DANIEL-BRADY in #2314
  • va-crisis-line-modal: update styles for consistency and improve alignment by @DANIEL-BRADY in #2326
  • va-action-list-item: Add custom click event for action anchors by @Ryan-Munsch in #2327
  • va-action-list: Replace h-level element font-size rule with headings mixin by @Ryan-Munsch in #2325
  • va-action-list: Add expandable functionality for summary variant by @Ryan-Munsch in #2330
  • va-maintenance-banner: improve icon alignment and container structure by @DANIEL-BRADY in #2317
  • va-tag-status: Fix icon sizing issue with large font sizes by @Kerry-Powell in #2340
  • va-button-segmented: style updates for buttons by @Kerry-Powell in #2339

CSS Library

[!WARNING] This release includes an alpha version of va-header-navigation. This component should only be used for integration testing and should not be implemented at this time.

Full Changelog: https://va.ghe.com/software/component-library/compare/v56.15.0…v56.16.0

 v56.15.0
September 21, 2026

What’s Changed

New Features & Components 🎉

Fixes

CSS Library

Full Changelog: https://va.ghe.com/software/component-library/compare/v56.14.0…v56.15.0

September 2026

Content style guide

Page titles and section titles

  • Added guidance on using unique section titles:

    Make each section title unique. Each title should be different enough so people can quickly and easily tell the difference between the sections. This is particularly important for pages that include an On This Page component (table of contents).

  • Moved section title bullet items on length and punctuation to a separate subsection, Length and punctuation (no changes to guidance)
  • Made edits throughout to align with the style guide

Plain language - Don’t use idioms

  • Updated introduction to include euphemisms and colloquialisms and added a second sentence about using clear and direct language:

    Idioms, euphemisms, and colloquialisms can be confusing, especially for someone whose first language isn’t English. Instead, use clear and direct language.

  • Added 2 new examples:

    Like this
    If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.).

    Not this
    If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a Veteran who passed away from a service-related injury or illness, you may be eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.).

    Like this
    Am I eligible for a Survivors Pension as the child of a deceased wartime Veteran?

    Not this
    Am I eligible for a Survivors Pension as the child of a late wartime Veteran?

Readability and usability of VA digital content

Added new guidance on content in PDFs on VA.gov, including information on official VA forms, outreach materials, tool user guides, and benefit guides. The guidance explains our approach to PDFs for each type of content and alternate solutions when we don’t recommend posting or linking to PDFs. The guidance also explains the accessibility concerns and requirements we need to consider with PDFs.

Word list

  • Added 4 new entries:

    active and inactive (for account status)

    When referring to someone’s account status, use “active,” “inactive,” and “to make your account active again.”

    e.g., i.e., and ex.

    Avoid using “e.g.,” “i.e.,” or “ex.” to introduce examples. Instead, use words like “for example” or “like.”

    etc.

    Don’t include “etc.” in a list of examples. Use “like” or “for example” to introduce the examples. This indicates that it may not be a full list.

    recipient

    In general, avoid using “recipient.” Instead, reword the sentence to use “the person who received the benefit,” “the person who will receive the benefit,” or similar. There are some exceptions where “recipient” is part of an understood or official term, like “Medal of Honor recipient.” In those cases, it’s OK to use “recipient.”

  • Revised 1 entry:

    healthcare

    1 word, never hyphenated as a compound adjective (for example, “healthcare system”). Lowercase unless it’s part of the official name of a VA medical center.

    Note: This change aligns with new AP guidance. We’re working on updating this from 2 words to 1 across our content. But you may still find instances of “health care” while we’re working on these updates.

    Exception: Defer to the VA medical center’s official name, which may have “health care” as 2 words.
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Last updated: Oct 13, 2026