VA’s Claims Backlog Continues To Push 900,000

The Veterans Affairs Department processed more than 1 million disability claims in fiscal 2012. The backlog of pending claims continued to hover just under the 900,000 mark with almost 600,000 in the system in for more than 125 days.

This marks the third year in a row the Veterans Benefits Administration has processed more than 1 million claims. Allison Hickey, undersecretary for benefits, said Thursday that VA has made significant progress in addressing the backlog, but “we realize much work remains to be done to better serve veterans.”

‘Too many veterans still wait too long [to have their claims processed]. That’s unacceptable,” she said. VA’s move to a paperless, digital disability claims system will provide “a lasting solution that will transform how we operate and eliminate the claims backlog,” she added.