Dick_freebird, thank you for the explanation.
I am aware of the mechanism of base width reduction and the influence on the Early voltage.
However, from your previous answer I have deduced that there could be a formula which clearly shows how VA influences the "relation of beta to Vce" (your words).
Of course, VA is a measure for the slope of the Ic=f(Vce) curve and, hence, has "something to do" with Ic variations (for Ib=const) and, hence, with variations of the current gain.
But is there a relation that can be given as a formula ? That was the background of my question.