VA Goal to Eliminate Claims Backlog by End of 2015 Appears Out of Reach

Carol Ann Fausone
Brigadier General (ret)

Positive reports surfaced last year on the significant reduction of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) backlog in benefits claims – VA workers slashed the backlog by over half to 245,000. VA officials were optimistic on cutting that number to zero by the end of 2015…but now that appears out of reach.

Army Times reports that VA will likely not reach a backlog of zero by the end of 2015, as was their goal. VA workers did set a record of completing over 1.3 million claims last year, but with new claims only continuing to increase it appears zeroing-out the entire backlog in the next eleven months or so is unlikely.

“I think they can get close, but I don’t think they can get to zero,” Jackie Maffucci, the research director for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told Army Times last week. “Just looking at the numbers, it’s doubtful.”

To Congress’s credit, they did lend a helping hand to the tune of an additional $40 million in the budget to slash the backlog with digital scanning, more claims processors, and other efforts.

However, Army Times also reported that a new backlog is just around the corner. Appeals have risen steadily from about 245,000 in March 2013 to about 287,000 today. Congress gave VA $11 million to address the increasing appeals as well.

The backlog is based on the number of claims pending for more than 125 days. Last year, VA Undersecretary Allison Hickey indicated that the funding from Congress, which provided for new paperless systems, better training of claims processors, and improved communication systems, did contribute to the decrease from 2013-2014.

In 2014, the backlog reduction was welcome news. It represented a ray of hope that one promise from government – to eliminate the backlog before 2016 – was on track to be fulfilled. Despite this news, that promise still matters.

In comparison to years past, veterans are getting better and faster service (which was a low benchmark to improve upon). If the backlog can’t be cut to zero by the end of the year, let’s hope VA comes close – 125-plus days is a long time to wait for critical health care. And let’s not forget that the service our veterans deserve for sacrificing so much is still not where it needs to be.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans attorney, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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