The misery-loves-company club even featured critical, board-style roles, such as chief crier and chief consoler.
Phelan is the first service secretary pick announced by the president-elect for his second term in the White House.
Department leaders had warned of funding gaps of up to $18 billion but now believe those estimates were too high.
Congress approved $3 billion in emergency VA funding in September, but officials now say they did not need the money to cover immediate bills.
