Veterans Affairs cuts backlog, sets record for number of claims processed

• Congressman Michael Guest said lawmakers have prioritized robust funding to cut the disability claims backlog and modernize VA systems.

This fiscal year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has broken the previous year’s record of processing more than 3 million disability claims for veterans and their beneficiaries. 

The agency processed 3.001 million claims last fiscal year. This year, with weeks remaining in the fiscal year, the VA states it has exceeded the number of claims processed.

According to the federal agency, approved claims thus far this fiscal year have amounted to just over $207 billion in pension benefits and compensation being awarded.

The time to process claims is reported to also have been cut by nearly half, decreasing from an average of 141.5 days to 75.6 days during this month. That reduction in processing time has slashed the claims backlog by 70%.

“Through my assignment on the MILCON-VA Appropriations Subcommittee, we have prioritized robust funding to cut the disability claims backlog and modernize VA systems,” Mississippi 3rd District Congressman Michael Guest (R) told Magnolia Tribune

“Putting Veterans first means making VA benefits faster, better and more convenient, and under President Trump, that’s exactly what we’re doing,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said.

The agency reports that the increased efforts to process claims quickly did not affect the agency’s accuracy, reaching the best rate in the past two years at 93%. Of the claims processed by the VA, about 3% require review by the Board of Veteran’s Appeals, with just over 60% being approved. 

“Taking care of our Veterans will always be a priority of mine. I am proud that the Trump Administration has set a new record processing time for our Veterans seeking assistance,” Congressman Guest added. “We have more work to do. I look forward to working alongside the VA team built under Secretary Doug Collins to ensure our veterans receive the benefits and health care they deserve.”

The VA is also putting forth efforts to increase healthcare access for veterans by approving an additional 270,000 veterans for VA healthcare benefits and establishing an additional 41 VA healthcare facilities across the nation.