VA Announces Milestone in Veteran Claims
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Wednesday announced it had processed more disability benefits claims in a single year than ever before.
The VA said it reached the milestone by August 8, having processed 2,524,115 benefits compensation and pension ratings claims in the current fiscal year, which still has nearly two months to run, surpassing the previous year's total of 2,517,519.
The backlog of veterans awaiting benefits has dropped by more than 37 percent since Donald Trump's second inauguration on January 20, after rising by 24 percent under the Biden Administration, the department said.
Newsweek contacted the VA via email on Thursday about the proportion of claims to have been approved and declined.
A plaque is displayed outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs' headquarters on June 22, 2025 in Washington, DC.
A plaque is displayed outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs' headquarters on June 22, 2025 in Washington, DC.Why It Matters
About 6.2 million veterans in the United States receive disability benefits from the VA. The program offers tax-free monthly compensation for those with disabilities resulting from diseases, events, or injuries sustained or worsened during active military service.
The program also provides monthly payments to surviving spouses, dependent children, and parents to recognize the financial loss caused by a service member's death during military service or due to a service-connected disability after being discharged.
In June, the VA said it had already awarded more than $120 billion in compensation and pension benefits to veterans and survivors in the 2025 fiscal year.
Thousands of veterans held a demostration in the capital on June 6—on the 81st anniversary of D-Day—to protest cuts at the department. In July, the VA announced it was on pace to reduce total VA staff by nearly 30,000 employees by the end of fiscal year 2025.
What To Know
Announcing the news, the VA said, in July, it had completed more than 300,000 ratings claims in a single month for the first time. It also said VA is processing claims 17.8 percent faster than in 2024 despite receipts being 10 percent higher than this time last year.
In a previous release, the VA said the average time to complete a disability claim had fallen from 141.5 days on January 20, 2025, to 131.8 days on June 21.
A claim is considered backlogged if it has been pending for more than 125 days. The VA has not provided an update on the current size of the backlog but in May said the number had fallen below 200,000 for the first time since March 2023.
What People Are Saying
VA Secretary Doug Collins said: "Under President Trump, VA is making major improvements to better serve veterans, and this announcement underscores that fact. We look forward to implementing more reforms to increase customer service and convenience for those we are charged with serving."
In a press release, the White House called the news a "resounding victory for America's heroes," adding: "This extraordinary progress, highlighted by a 37% reduction in pending claims since President Donald J. Trump's inauguration, demonstrates the Trump Administration's unwavering commitment to deliver swift, efficient benefits to our nation's heroes."
What Happens Next
The VA encouraged all Veterans to visit VA.gov to learn more and apply for care and benefits.
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