Skip to content

July 29, 2024

Here’s the Average Time for a VA Claim by State & Territory (2024 Update)

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free.


Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Help?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226

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.

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/TerritoryTotal Pending ClaimsTotal Backlogged ClaimsAverage Days to Complete a VA Claim
Alabama22,3006,283160.45
Alaska3,076843149.77
Arizona22,1975,882160.75
Arkansas10,6992,941157.31
California69,51317,753152.37
Colorado17,3854,440145.95
Connecticut5,2471,482158.44
Delaware2,769733160.84
District of Columbia1,121313159.00
Florida88,26023,452150.39
Georgia44,52812,151155.43
Hawaii5,7551,556155.83
Idaho5,6091,495156.63
Illinois21,5206,361164.89
Indiana15,9874,529154.14
Iowa7,2542,136157.58
Kansas7,6501,957156.26
Kentucky13,0853,997164.23
Louisiana16,6654,597157.79
Maine4,2271,300172.38
Maryland18,2704,952152.55
Massachusetts9,2112,690153.99
Michigan19,5405,470156.51
Minnesota10,8772,918148.61
Mississippi12,8333,688163.31
Missouri15,9454,138154.59
Montana3,749999162.88
Nebraska6,0531,495149.46
Nevada12,1413,198158.33
New Hampshire3,055871163.79
New Jersey11,6213,826163.73
New Mexico6,5451,833166.73
New York21,6846,262157.10
North Carolina41,58310,924148.24
North Dakota1,986636168.78
Ohio26,7057,305155.57
Oklahoma16,1654,324155.15
Oregon9,4712,630159.68
Outside US8,9103,561194.47
Pennsylvania24,9657,289161.76
Puerto Rico6,1901,913143.29
Rhode Island2,366732147.67
South Carolina24,6036,380153.21
South Dakota3,098896156.68
Tennessee22,8885,824151.63
Texas104,72327,178154.25
Utah5,3931,358156.72
Vermont1,003308167.57
Virginia36,7369,807152.06
Washington19,0815,069158.44
West Virginia5,8071,659160.02
Wisconsin12,8713,474154.74
Wyoming2,473788172.15
TOTAL913,388248,596155.38

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!
  • 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.

#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!

  • 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.

About the Author

Brian Reese
Brian Reese

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.

Related Articles

Elite Membership

Dear Veteran,
Here’s the brutal truth about VA disability claims:

According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA…

This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month.

As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and I’m on a mission to change it.

Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider.

Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time.

If accepted into our ELITE membership program, you’ll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time.

It’s FREE to get started, so click “Go Elite Now” below to complete our 3-step intake process.

  1. Complete Basic Information
  2. Sign Members Agreement
  3. Join the Mastermind Group

If you’re stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you!

Click “Go Elite Now” below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes.

Go Elite Now!

Why Choose VA Claims Insider

You’ve exhausted your free resources

You're not alone. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you.

Veteran Community

You’re ready to get the rating you deserve

We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you.

Explore Elite Membership

We win ONLY when YOU win

Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Ambassadors having gone through our programs.

Schedule a Call

Fellow Veterans:

For a limited time, you can book a no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts.

Book A Call

Fellow Veterans:

For a limited time, you can book a no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts.

Book A Call