If you’re curious about how long VA claims are taking these days, you’re in the right place!
For example, Texas handles the largest volume of VA claims but manages to process them slightly faster than the national average.
In contrast, Wyoming, with a relatively low number of claims, tends to have slower processing times.
It’s important to note that while the data shows average processing times by state and territory, VA claims are not decided based on location.
Instead, they enter a national work queue for processing, ensuring that all claims are handled through a standardized national system.
Alright, let’s examine the data to see how your state or territory measures up.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Average VA Claim Processing Time: The overall average time to complete a VA disability claim is 155.38 days, highlighting the typical wait time veterans can expect.
- Fastest Processing Time: Puerto Rico has the quickest claim processing time, averaging 143.29 days, indicating efficient claim handling in this territory.
- Slowest Processing Time: Claims processed Outside the U.S. have the longest average completion time at 194.47 days, reflecting potential challenges in handling claims from veterans living abroad.
- High Volume States: Texas processes the highest number of claims, with 104,723 total pending claims, yet maintains a slightly faster-than-average processing time of 154.25 days.
Average Time for a VA Claim by State & Territory
Here’s the average VA claim processing time by state and territory listed in alphabetical order:
| State/Territory | Total Pending Claims | Total Backlogged Claims | Average Days to Complete a VA Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 22,300 | 6,283 | 160.45 |
| Alaska | 3,076 | 843 | 149.77 |
| Arizona | 22,197 | 5,882 | 160.75 |
| Arkansas | 10,699 | 2,941 | 157.31 |
| California | 69,513 | 17,753 | 152.37 |
| Colorado | 17,385 | 4,440 | 145.95 |
| Connecticut | 5,247 | 1,482 | 158.44 |
| Delaware | 2,769 | 733 | 160.84 |
| District of Columbia | 1,121 | 313 | 159.00 |
| Florida | 88,260 | 23,452 | 150.39 |
| Georgia | 44,528 | 12,151 | 155.43 |
| Hawaii | 5,755 | 1,556 | 155.83 |
| Idaho | 5,609 | 1,495 | 156.63 |
| Illinois | 21,520 | 6,361 | 164.89 |
| Indiana | 15,987 | 4,529 | 154.14 |
| Iowa | 7,254 | 2,136 | 157.58 |
| Kansas | 7,650 | 1,957 | 156.26 |
| Kentucky | 13,085 | 3,997 | 164.23 |
| Louisiana | 16,665 | 4,597 | 157.79 |
| Maine | 4,227 | 1,300 | 172.38 |
| Maryland | 18,270 | 4,952 | 152.55 |
| Massachusetts | 9,211 | 2,690 | 153.99 |
| Michigan | 19,540 | 5,470 | 156.51 |
| Minnesota | 10,877 | 2,918 | 148.61 |
| Mississippi | 12,833 | 3,688 | 163.31 |
| Missouri | 15,945 | 4,138 | 154.59 |
| Montana | 3,749 | 999 | 162.88 |
| Nebraska | 6,053 | 1,495 | 149.46 |
| Nevada | 12,141 | 3,198 | 158.33 |
| New Hampshire | 3,055 | 871 | 163.79 |
| New Jersey | 11,621 | 3,826 | 163.73 |
| New Mexico | 6,545 | 1,833 | 166.73 |
| New York | 21,684 | 6,262 | 157.10 |
| North Carolina | 41,583 | 10,924 | 148.24 |
| North Dakota | 1,986 | 636 | 168.78 |
| Ohio | 26,705 | 7,305 | 155.57 |
| Oklahoma | 16,165 | 4,324 | 155.15 |
| Oregon | 9,471 | 2,630 | 159.68 |
| Outside US | 8,910 | 3,561 | 194.47 |
| Pennsylvania | 24,965 | 7,289 | 161.76 |
| Puerto Rico | 6,190 | 1,913 | 143.29 |
| Rhode Island | 2,366 | 732 | 147.67 |
| South Carolina | 24,603 | 6,380 | 153.21 |
| South Dakota | 3,098 | 896 | 156.68 |
| Tennessee | 22,888 | 5,824 | 151.63 |
| Texas | 104,723 | 27,178 | 154.25 |
| Utah | 5,393 | 1,358 | 156.72 |
| Vermont | 1,003 | 308 | 167.57 |
| Virginia | 36,736 | 9,807 | 152.06 |
| Washington | 19,081 | 5,069 | 158.44 |
| West Virginia | 5,807 | 1,659 | 160.02 |
| Wisconsin | 12,871 | 3,474 | 154.74 |
| Wyoming | 2,473 | 788 | 172.15 |
| TOTAL | 913,388 | 248,596 | 155.38 |
Source: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Reports – Detailed Claims Data (July 2024)
How Long Does It Take for a VA Claim Right Now?
As of July 2024, the average time to complete a VA disability claim is approximately 155.38 days from submission to decision.
Puerto Rico stands out as the fastest region for processing claims, with an average completion time of 143.29 days.
On the other end of the spectrum, VA claims handled outside the U.S. (minus Puerto Rico) take significantly longer, averaging 194.47 days to complete.
This range highlights the variability in processing times across different regions, with factors such as administrative efficiency and claim volume likely playing a role in these differences.
How Do I Speed Up My VA Claim? The SEM Method!
Fellow veterans: help the VA help you!
The VA is not out to deny your claim — it’s on you to give the VA all the evidence the VA Rater needs to make a more accurate rating decision faster.
At VA Claims Insider, we teach veterans the “SEM Method,” which stands for Strategy + Education + Medical Evidence = VA Rating You Deserve Faster!
#1. Strategy:
Your VA claim Strategy should focus on:
- 1-3 disability conditions per 1 claim only – simple, simple, simple, think less is more!
- Fully Developed Claims (FDCs) only and file it online at VA.gov – standard claims take longer.
- High-Value claims only (if eligible).
- Mental health claims, simple increase claims, and/or secondary claims (if eligible)
#2. Education:
Your VA claim Education should focus on:
- High-Value VA disability claims, which are claims that have a high likelihood of being rated at 30% or higher on their own.
- C&P exam preparation so you can crush your C&P exam and get the rating you deserve, faster.
#3. Medical Evidence:
Your VA claim Medical Evidence should focus on:
- Mental health evaluation and Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) is preferred, if and only if, you have a mental health condition.
- Medical evaluations to include first-time Medical Dx, Nexus Letters, and/or VA DBQs for high value claims only.
Do I Need a Nexus Letter? Click Here to Find Out!
YOU SERVED. YOU DESERVE. We Got Your Six!
- VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims!
- 25,000+ disabled veterans served in our membership programs since 2016.
- 30% average VA rating increase for veterans who complete our #1 rated Elite program.
- 4.7/5.0 average rating out of 5,500+ total reviews; over 4,500 5-star reviews.
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. 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. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
