WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a significant milestone in reducing its disability claims backlog, which has dropped below 200,000 for the first time since March 2023. This achievement marks a 25% reduction since January 20, when the backlog stood at 264,717, now trimmed to 198,378.
A claim is classified as backlogged when pending for over 125 days. The recent reduction is attributed to unprecedented productivity levels within the VA, including the processing of one million disability claims in a single fiscal year faster than ever before. April saw the highest monthly claims production rate on record, with 256,178 claims processed. Similarly, May 20 marked a groundbreaking daily figure, exceeding 15,000 claims processed.
“Under President Trump, VA’s claims processing productivity is the highest it has ever been, and we will continue working overtime on behalf of Veterans until the backlog is at record lows,” stated VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Veterans and VA beneficiaries deserve timely and accurate claims decisions, and that is exactly what we will deliver.”
The backlog has been a fluctuating challenge over the years. It reached an all-time high of 611,000 in March 2013, with the lowest recorded figure of 64,738 in December 2019. The Biden Administration previously faced a 24% increase in the backlog, from 213,189 in January 2021 to its peak of 264,717 by January 2025.
This reduction underscores the VA’s focus on improving efficiency to ensure timely access to benefits for Veterans and their families.
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