Va disability claims backlog 2022 Decision wait times - Board of Veterans' Appeals Jan 18, 2022 · The VA currently has around 260,000 claims in its backlog right now, a significant increase compared to approximately 70,000 backlogged cases the agency had before the start of the pandemic. Nov 8, 2023 · passed P. May 13, 2022 · According to the latest VA Claims Backlog Update, as of March 2022, 215,196 initial and supplemental service-connected disability claims, Agent Orange-related claims, and pension claims for Veterans have been pending for more than four months. As of March 12, 2022, VA is experiencing a backlog of 247,707 claims. Jul 26, 2022 · Homelessness – If you don’t have a fixed, regular nighttime residence or live in a homeless shelter, transitional housing, hotel, or outside the VA, you may expedite your disability claim. GAO’s Findings: “VA’s plan for implementing a new disability appeals process while attending to appeals in the current process addresses most, but not all, elements The 2025 disability rates for Veterans are going up, though how much you’ll receive, of course, varies depending on the number of dependents you have as well as your disability rating. This claims bundle includes initial and supplemental claims for service-connected disabilities for Veterans and their survivors, Agent Orange-related claims, and pension claims for Veterans. 38 days, highlighting the typical wait time veterans can expect. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims from fiscal 2019-2022 were “partially or fully remanded Mar 6, 2025 · VA data shows that as of early 2025, the backlog of disability claims was already increasing, due to the demand created by the PACT Act. ORGANIZATION. Then, select the appropriate box for your marital status. Sep 1, 2022 · But Jacobs also acknowledged that the decision on PACT Act presumptives will likely cause an uptick in VA’s claims backlog, the number of first-time claims that take more than 125 days to May 21, 2024 · Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs expects to grant its 1 millionth PACT Act-related disability compensation claims to Veterans and survivors since President Biden signed the bill into law on Aug. Fast forward to mid-2023, and while efforts have been made to navigate these numbers, the VA claim landscape remains overwhelming, especially with the introduction of the PACT Act. If you have multiple conditions, the VA will evaluate each one separately, assess how the combined disabilities affect your functioning, and assign a combined disability rating. Mar 13, 2025 · VA Secretary Denis McDonough expects that the agency's hiring push should help expedite the processing of a record number of VA disability claims--600,000 of which have been filed through the PACT Act since its passage in August 2022. Oct 12, 2022 · It’s possible, however, that your disability claim hasn’t yet been denied and the VA is still reviewing/processing it. File a disability claim online, by mail, in person, or with the help of a professional. We will also provide some tips on how to make the process go as smoothly as possible. gov/PACT. 2022 PUBLISHED 6:21 PM EDT Sep. Jun 7, 2024 · He refutes allegations of profiteering, saying his company helps ease the backlog of VA claims and provides veterans with the choice of paying for assistance. This Veteran's condition has since improved, and she is thankful Dec 1, 2021 · Review 2022 Veterans disability compensation rates. Backlogs include claims pending more than 5 days ago · Common reasons for VA disability claim delays include: High claim volume and VA backlog: The 2025 VA backlog remains a concern as thousands of claims flood the system, overwhelming staff capacity. Dec 3, 2024 · Big changes are coming to the VA disability system in 2025, affecting how disabilities are rated and how claims are processed. Sep 21, 2023 · The backlog of first-time disability claims — claims pending for more than 125 days, the standard set by VA to process the files — reached 292,499 this week. Sep 28, 2021 · The U. gov Federal government websites often end in . According to the VA, the backlog of claims was around 270,000 as of June 1 and has been steadily declining after reaching over 400,000 last year. Claims Dec 13, 2024 · Checking Your VA Claim Status: Veterans can check the status of their claim online at VA. This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. S. 45 for those with a 100% disability rating—assuming there are no Claims Backlog. gov or . Prior to the COVID pandemic the VA has a “backlog” of 70,000 claims. Claims are considered “backlogged” if they have been pending in VA’s system for more than 125 days. Sep 22, 2022 · Critics say VA disability claims backlog slowed by eliminating judge experience requirement. To help reduce this backlog, VA hired 2,000 new claims Currently, the VA backlog holds a little more than 152,000 pending claims. Unfortunately, the VA doesn’t expedite every claim homeless vet’s file. Dec 4, 2021 · VA Claims and Appeals Backlog Update November 2021 VA Claims Backlog. We’ll let you know when we receive your VA disability claim. 113-235, which expanded contract examination coverage to VA Regional Offices (VAROs). 21-526EZ. L. Find out what to do if you disagree with a VA decision. Clark emphasized the VA has made gains by centralizing claims in areas that include toxic exposures and military sexual trauma. gov/disability/ get-help-filing-claim. SHARE. By comparison, earlier that year had seen a spike over 400,000, and the highest backlog in the past dozen years was 611,073 back in March of 2013. com that the number of disability claims now is expected to rise to 400,000 before it starts to gradually drop again. If you file your claim online, you’ll get an on-screen message from us after you submit the form. Due to its backlog of disability compensation claims, VA can often take months or years to grant benefits. The claims backlog became a national scandal in 2013 when the total reached more than 610,000 cases, as a flood of new claims related to new presumptive conditions linked to Agent Orange exposure May 5, 2024 · Using Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) published claims data, we’ve created a chart of the current VA claims backlog by state in 2025. gov/find-locations / VETERANS SERVICE . Mar 6, 2025 · 2025 AMA Metrics Reports: 1st Quarter: 2nd Quarter : 3rd Quarter: 4th Quarter January 2025: April 2025: July 2025: October 2025 February 2025: May 2025 Dec 1, 2018 · On the Basic monthly rates table, find the amount for your disability rating and dependent status. gov/disability/ get-help-filing-claim Help spread the word– Claims Approved (08/10/2022–02/24/2024) 1,057,908. Jun 27, 2024 · In the two years since the PACT Act became law, the VA has received an average of 195,800 claims per month, an increase of 57,000 claims from the prior two years, according to the VA. VA Disability Claims “Technical Glitch” Feb 26, 2025 · As of December 2024, the VA disability claim backlog was clocked at just over 260,000. The latest on Task & Purpose From my foxhole it looks like VA is doing pretty good on claims, C&P's and getting the claims ready for the rater. Mar 14, 2025 · Unallocated claims were previously defined as 'backlog', meaning a claim joined the backlog from the day it was lodged. September 2023 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status Any claim that’s more than 125 days old counts under the VA’s backlog. t. Use our compensation benefits rate tables to find your monthly payment amount. WALK-IN. Advanced Age – The VA defines this trait as 75 years of age or older. Dec 13, 2024 · Find out what kind of information you can get from our claim status tool. This is your basic monthly rate. When the VA page opens, scroll down to locate the calculator. The VA will still accept claims after the August 9 deadline, but those won't be Mar 5, 2025 · Learn how to file a VA disability claim for a service-connected disability. Nov 29, 2023 · Curda discussed findings from a new GAO audit showing more than 80% of veteran cases before the U. It’s not the time when a doctor first diagnosed your illness. gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000 for updates. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Jun 14, 2021 · The department will also readjudicate about 60,000 disability claims under a recent court order. Fortunately through additional hiring, the implementation of digital automation and other helpful systems, the VA disability benefits claims process is slowly Feb 11, 2022 · Manage Cookies. “Backlogged claims are more than just a headache for veterans,” said James G. Summary: The VA Disability Calculator uses a unique “VA Math” method to compute combined impairment ratings for veterans with multiple service-connected conditions. com The Board of Veterans’ Appeals continues to experience a massive backlog in the processing of VA appeals. Mar 17, 2022 · VA Disability Claims and Appeals Backlog Update Claims Backlog. 5%) for the current fiscal year. Example (Veteran with no children): If you’re a Veteran with a 30% disability rating, and you have a dependent spouse (no dependent parents or children), your basic monthly rate would be $601. Because of the VA’s backlog, a lot of these examinations are now handled by private contractors, such as QTC or VA. Want to review current rates for Veterans disability compensation? Get the current rates Dec 21, 2012 · Why GAO Did This Study. Concurrently, VA improved the accuracy of disability ratings, and provided hundreds of thousands of claims decisions to Veterans who have waited the longest. For many, VA disability will increase by $4. 10, 2022 – including 16,872 claims to Veterans and survivors in Oklahoma. The backlog dipped in mid-2022 but is on the rise again as adjusters Sep 12, 2023 · A snapshot from last year (2022) depicted a daunting picture: around 623,060 pending claims, with an additional 154,014 rating-related claims waiting in the backlog. 29 days , indicating efficient claim handling in this territory. The average time to complete a claim was 188 days in fiscal year 2011, and VA expects an increase in claims received as 1 million servicemembers leave military service over the next 5 years. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) defines a backlog as the number of claims or appeals that have been pending in VA’s system for over 125 days. VA reported a backlog of 210,854 disability claims as of September 18, 2021. May 4, 2023 · Important: We updated this article in May 2023 to mention new presumptive conditions authorized under the 2022 PACT Act. 42 each month. Cumulative Total. encourage Veterans to enroll in VA The VA Disability Calculator page will open in a new window. SUPERSEDES VA FORM 21-526EZ, SEP Mar 26, 2025 · The more complex your diagnosis, the more time the VA will need to process your claim. This law enabled VA clinicians to focus on healthcare while contract examiners performed MDEs for disability claims, enabling the VA to achieve a functional zero in the claims backlog by the end of 2015. What is VA Disability Back Pay? VA disability back pay is the monies owed to veterans from the effective date of their claim, to the date they were granted those benefits. Officials have set a hiring goal of 4,000 more (12. The number of backlogged VA claims, which reached a decade-high of 417,855 in January 2024, has dropped significantly by 42. Approximately 32 thousand letters were sent to veterans in August notifying them that their claims were not processed. 22, 2022. Please note: In fiscal year 2015, VA transitioned the content of the VBA Performance and Accountability Report to the VA Agency Financial Report. senators are pressing the Department of Veterans Affairs to deal with a growing backlog in disability claims, and the VA says it’s trying. A top priority for VA in 2024 is continuing to reach and . John Plahovinsak. PACT Related. Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs told Military. Apr 8, 2022 · Among so much else, it means VBA can automate disability claims processing, keep reducing the claims backlog, and deliver over $150 billion in earned benefits to more than 6 million Veterans, service members, survivors, and dependents. A. mil. This date is usually the date when the VA receives your disability benefits claim. This is a significant jump from the 178,584 claims backlog reported in late August. 28 per month for Vets with a 10% rating and $93. Help spread the word– Claims Approved (08/10/2022–06/01/2024) 1,365,855. Some good news here: this number decreased from the previous year. Sep 12, 2024 · Utilize funds provided via the American Rescue Plan for overtime to ensure timely claims processing. Also, the disability compensation and pension claims backlog (comprised of claims pending for longer than 125 days) as a percentage of all claims received is at 38% as of March 5, 2024, compared to 70% in 2013, which is the last time the rating claims inventory was nearly this high. The Department of Veterans Affairs has made significant progress in reducing the backlog of disability compensation claims – from 611,000 to 400,835 or 34 percent -- since peaking in March. What is the VA Disability Claims Backlog? Put simply, the VA claims backlog is the glut of disability benefits cases, claims, and VA defines backlog as the number of claims pending over 125 days. There are several reasons for the delay in processing the VA claims backlog. Advantage Newsletter Master VA Claims Online Course The Road to VA Compensation Benefits VA Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) Calculators 2025 Disability Rating 5 days ago · It provides information on how well we process claims, the impact of benefits , and the strategy we're following to achieve and maintain excellence. gov Feb 24, 2025 · Claims pending for 125-plus days are considered "backlog. Help spread the word– download PACT Act Outreach Materials! Highligh. "The VA's backlog of claims, which are cases waiting more than 125 days for a decision, has remained at roughly VA disability back pay is the money owed to veterans from the effective date of their claim to the date they were granted those benefits. Sep 7, 2022 · To address these claims and eliminate the backlog, the VA has set a goal to hire more than 2,000 claims processors and is automating its system to expedite claims for health conditions commonly Aug 20, 2024 · If you believe your claim is stuck in the VA claims backlog, we’ll explore what the VA claims backlog is, why the VA has a backlog in cases, and ways to prevent your claim from being stuck in the backlog for long. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 639,496 pending claims and 152,572 rating-related claims backlogged as of 9/10/2022. The PACT Act, adopted in 2022, awards benefits to veterans exposed to toxins during military service, including from burn pits, Agent Orange, asbestos and other Jul 29, 2024 · Average VA Claim Processing Time: The overall average time to complete a VA disability claim is 155. How to Use Our VA Disability Rating Calculator To calculate your VA disability compensation, select your assigned disability rating. Feb 21, 2023 · For help with your disability claims go to vaclaimsguide. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. Feb 5, 2025 · Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more. Mar 24, 2025 · Applications for secondary disability and requests for increases in rating are also going up. Two events have occurred that will, however, result in significant claims backlog increases in the near term. May 2, 2024 · The good news is VA claims adjudicators continue to work through the backlog of VA disability claims. See full list on benefits. So, first of all, we’re going to talk about the backlog recap. “Despite COVID, we’re processing these claims faster than ever before in VA’s history … Mar 5, 2025 · Claim received. Many of the applications for veterans already on claim are for secondary disability or for increase in rating. Veterans with appeals in both the new system under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) and the old Legacy system face serious delays as they wait for a decision from the Board. While this number may still seem high, the VA’s efforts to streamline the process are working. V. These 2025 VA disability changes include updates to the rating system for mental health, sleep apnea, and tinnitus, along with expanded benefits and faster claim processing. Check the status of debt related to VA disability compensation, non-service-connected pension, or education benefits. It hasn’t been above 300,000 Feb 2, 2022 · On January 18, 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) admitted that it has a “backlog” of over 260,000 disability claims. CALL. As of October 11, there were more than 204,000 backlog claims in an inventory Jul 13, 2023 · The VA had reduced its long-standing claims backlog, which dates back several years and got worse during the pandemic. Jan 25, 2022 · If you suffer from hearing loss as a result of your military service, you may qualify for veterans disability benefits. Feb 4, 2023 · Veterans who get sick or injured as a result of their service are eligible for monthly disability payments. The VA considers a “backlog claim” to be any claim pending more than 125 days. NOTICE TO VETERAN/SERVICE MEMBER OF EVIDENCE NECESSARY TO SUBSTANTIATE A CLAIM FOR VETERANS DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND RELATED COMPENSATION BENEFITS . The Department of Veterans Affairs has received nearly 113,000 new disability compensation Sep 16, 2021 · The backlog — defined as the number of first-time disability and pension claims that have been awaiting decisions for more than four months — topped 215,000 this week, up 16 percent since July Jun 27, 2022 · The Veterans Affairs disability claims backlog has dropped by almost 25% in the last four months, indicating that hiring and overtime efforts are making a significant dent in the pending workload Jan 17, 2024 · Jacobs said that the VA claims workforce is roughly 20% larger than it was in fall 2022, at about 32,000 employees. 10, 2022 – including 110,629 claims to Veterans and survivors in Texas. How Long Do VA Disability Increase Claims Take For a Decision? All types of VA disability claims are moving faster right now, especially VA claims for an increase in your service-connected VA rating. by September 2022, which should speed Dec 1, 2022 · McDonough said the VA is looking to enroll veterans for the benefits they qualify for, but expects the surge of claims under the PACT Act will increase the total claims backlog. It is acknowledged that there will never be zero unallocated claims, and DVA estimates 'business as usual' (BAU) levels of unallocated claims based on historical volumes of claims received over a two-week period. Generally, in order to receive Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits, you must prove that your time serving in the military led to your disability. gov. GOV. The disability claims backlog right now is at more than 151,000 cases. Once you’ve filled out everything, your monthly and annual disability compensation will automatically… Mar 17, 2023 · President Biden’s new toxic exposure law, she submitted her first claim ever with VA. greater than this point in FY 2023. Fausone, lead attorney at VA disability law firm Legal Help for Veterans in Northville, Michigan. These examinations are called Compensation and Pension examinations, or C&P exams, and they are critical to determining whether the veteran will be awarded VA disability benefits. Jun 21, 2024 · The VA disability claims system is currently bogged down with a massive backlog that affects every Veteran filing a new disability claim, seeking a ratings review, or filing an appeal. 2%, declining to 241,601 as of December 2024. And learn how to use the tool to upload new evidence to support your pending claim. Claims Completed Jan 12, 2022 · Brian Reese. In 2020, the VA approved 61,158 new disability compensation claims from veterans with hearing loss. May 2024’s report also shows all backlogged applications the VA still has under review. Aug 26, 2024 · Over 30 thousand veteran disability claims have languished in the Department of Veterans Affairs processing system, with unprocessed claims dating back to 2018. We base your monthly payment amount on your disability rating and details about your dependent family members. Their commitment to their clients and their exceptional legal representation set them apart as valued advocates in seeking our entitlements as U. It means the Board of Veterans’ Appeals can hire about 200 people. GAO-18-352, published on March 22, 2018. Mar 28, 2025 · 47% of VA disability claims that list 8 or more conditions take more than 125 days total to process; 36% of claims with 7 or fewer conditions take more than 125 days to assign new VA disability ratings; May 2024 Claims Backlog Status. Next, input the number of dependent children and/or dependent parents in each applicable category. Jan 18, 2022 · VA officials said the program is part of a plan to address 260,000 current disability claims, including 59,000 that are older than 125 days and are considered backlogged. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Conclusion The reported reduction of 83,000 VA employees under the direction of DOGE presents significant challenges for veterans seeking disability benefits. VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules Ultimate List of Veteran Benefits How to File a VA Disability Appeal VA Unemployability (IU) Guide PTSD Guide All Guides and Articles V. VA FORM NOV 2022 . This bottleneck has significantly extended VA claim processing times, with regional offices struggling to keep pace. Forecast modeling continues When veterans apply for VA compensation, VA will almost always send them to one of its own examiners. 1-800-MyVA411. May 22, 2023 · The VA expects its disability claims backlog to spike in the coming year but has a goal to reduce it to 100,000 by 2025. E. Jul 20, 2023 · Claims filed before that date will be eligible for a year of retroactive compensation backdated to August 10, 2022. Jun 25, 2021 · However, the number of backlogged veterans’ disability claims has been cut by about 10 percent in recent weeks, VA officials have acknowledged that it is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels until late in 2022. But the VA also has a list of presumpti If you wish to file your claim under the process in which VA traditionally processes claims, see Standard Claim Process on page 2. Presently seems the VA claim bottle neck is when the claim goes into the cloud, NWQ. In February 2019, the VA launched a new appeals process to gradually reduce the veterans disability claims backlog. In early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic caused national shutdowns, that number was around 70,000. 24/7/365. The September 2023 veterans disability benefits report’s backlog is actually quite small compared to this month’s total pending VA claims: As of September 2, 2023: 282,220 As of August 5 In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Mark Lippmann and his VLG to all veterans in need of assistance with their VA disability claim(s). Apr 19, 2024 · Whyde, a former petty officer third class, filed an original claim in November 2022 for disability compensation related to Agent Orange exposure from his military service. Oct 27, 2022 · More than 113,000 claims have been filed since August, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said this week. " VA’s claims inventory contains first-time disability claims submitted by any Veteran ("original" claims) and those submitted by Veterans who previously filed for disability compensation ("supplemental" claims). Inventory vs Backlog » May 22, 2023 · The VA expects its disability claims backlog to spike in the coming year but has a goal to reduce it to 100,000 by 2025. VA. In October 2019, the VA made a goal of eliminating the backlog by the end of 2022, which will, quite obviously, not be achieved now thanks to PACT Act disability rating claims. Veterans have applied for benefits at record rates over the past year, and VA has been able to deliver more earned benefits to more Veterans than ever before. Deploy requested fiscal year 2022 budget resources to support Agent Orange presumptive processing, as well as for general Compensation and Pension claims processing. Jan 24, 2024 · In this guide, we will discuss the VA disability claims timeline and the process that it takes to get your VA disability rating. As of November 27, 2021, VA is experiencing a backlog of around 256,045 pending claims, including claims for disability compensation, pension benefits, and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for survivors. T. Sep 30, 2023 · Meanwhile, there are currently more than 1 million pending disability compensation and pension claims and a backlog of about 297,000 that have stayed unresolved for longer than 125 days, the What is the Effective Date of a VA Disability Claim? The Effective Date is the start date of your benefits. Review the documents and information you’ll need before you get started. Sep 2, 2021 · Ohio’s U. Veterans. Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. . Fastest Processing Time : Puerto Rico has the quickest claim processing time, averaging 143. The backlog, he added, will peak sometime between next August and October. For years, VA has struggled with an increasing workload of disability compensation claims. Additionally with so many new raters allot of claims get denied or the wrong rating. Again, Smith said VA’s proactive scanning effort should help speed up adjudication in the future, especially when Congress or the courts make decisions that prompt a large number of veterans to refile or submit new disability claims. In 2019 VA expects 74% of claims to be from veterans already on benefit and the other 26% to be original claims. va. VA's claims backlog includes rating bundle disability compensation and pension claims received by VA that normally require a rating decision. There are eight different steps of the VA disability claims process and we’ll talk about how long each one typically takes. ask. Mar 31, 2025 · Claims Backlog. Still, first, the VA has to approve their claim, and decide how much they should receive Jun 10, 2021 · The claims backlog drew national scrutiny in 2013, when the number of overdue claims topped 610,000 cases after a host of new Agent Orange-related illnesses were added to VA’s disability lists. Official websites use . Apr 4, 2024 · Here’s the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA… This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each May 21, 2024 · Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs expects to grant its 1 millionth PACT Act-related disability compensation claims to Veterans and survivors since President Biden signed the bill into law on Aug. The new expected goal is closer to the end of 2023 or 2024, even with the addition of 2,000 extra claims personnel. Nor is it the date when you were discharged (unless you filed within a year of discharge). It should come as no surprise that the backlog of VA disability claims is highest in the states where more veterans live (more veterans = more VA disability claims). Because of the new law, her lung cancer was presumed to be caused by her service, so her claim was granted, and she received benefits backdated to August 10, 2022, the day that the bill became law. Jul 27, 2021 · The backlog peaked earlier this year at 210,000 claims. The backlog dipped in mid-2022 but is on the rise again as adjusters Mar 19, 2024 · Due to record numbers of claims applications, the backlog is still expected to grow in 2024 before decreasing at the end of this year – and VA will continue to hire new claims processors, invest in continuous learning for all claims processors, and make technology improvements to ensure that veterans, family members, caregivers and survivors Oct 1, 2023 · But there is still a large backlog of claims still waiting to be processed, with nearly 300,000 unresolved for more than 125 days, according to the VA’s own data. This is a significant jump from the 210,000 claims backlog reported in September. Jun 28, 2024 · Willie Clark, deputy undersecretary for field operations at the Veterans Benefits Administration, said the backlog has dropped from 423,179 claims pending for more than 125 days in January to 300,000 claims as of May. akgyn zblt zczgov znozfj vbfu ktxcjrl rmscq xrjipp xepbqpw tfghmo dsu mqecwm pgcovx dmszrer yqvhg