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The good news is VA claims adjudicators continue to make real progress in working down the backlog of VA disability claims.
- The number of backlogged VA claims, which reached a decade-high of 417,855 in January 2024, has dropped dramatically by 67.9%, falling to 134,009 as of September 2025.
- The number of pending VA claims has also seen major improvement. After peaking at 1,098,340 in November 2023, pending claims have decreased by 43%, down to 626,653 as of September 2025.
Over the past two years, the VA has made significant strides in addressing longstanding challenges with claims processing, improving efficiency, and streamlining the system for veterans.
Brian Reese, the VA Claims Insider, recently stated: “I’m impressed by the faster-than-expected progress the VBA is making toward resolving the VA claims backlog. It’s clear that VBA leadership is prioritizing critical changes to the disability claims system that directly impact veterans for the better.”
Source: VBA claims data and workload reports
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- VA claims adjudicators have made great progress in reducing the backlog of VA disability claims. Click here to see the 2026 VA claims backlog numbers by state.
- The number of backlogged VA claims, which reached a decade-high of 417,855 in January 2024, has since dropped by an impressive 67.9%, declining to 134,009 as of September 2025.
- The number of pending VA claims has also seen substantial improvement. After peaking at 1,098,340 in November 2023, pending claims have decreased by 43%, falling to 626,653 as of September 2025.
2026 VA Claims Backlog Update
The VA claims backlog is a major concern for veterans because the longer a claim takes for a decision, the longer a veteran must wait to receive their hard-earned VA disability benefits.
The good news is that the VA continues to make progress in reducing the backlog of VA disability claims.
The number of backlogged VA disability claims, which hit a decade-high of 417,855 in January 2024, has decreased by an impressive 67.9%, dropping to 134,009 as of September 2025.
A backlogged VA claim is defined as a “VA disability claim that requires a rating decision but has been pending for more than 125 days since receipt without a decision.”
Pending VA Claims Update
The number of pending VA claims also matters for veterans because it reflects the current workload for VA claims adjudicators.
The more pending claims in the system, the longer it can take to get a VA rating decision.
While the VA generally processes claims on a first-in, first-out basis, several issues can cause delays.
These include filing many conditions in a single claim, submitting claims without adequate medical evidence, Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam scheduling delays, VBA staffing shortages, technology errors in VBMS or station 499, and overdevelopment of claims.
A pending claim “includes VA disability compensation and VA pension claims received by VA that normally require a rating decision.”
The number of pending VA disability claims has also seen a meaningful decline.
After peaking at 1,098,340 in November 2023, pending claims have fallen by 43%, down to 626,653 as of September 2025.
3 Tips to Help Speed Up Your VA Claim
You can help the VA help you get your VA claim approved faster, regardless of backlogged VA claims!
The VA Rater 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 education 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.
Wondering if you should get a Nexus Letter?
If you’ve already submitted your VA claim, you can call 1-800-827-1000, speak to a representative, and ask for the status of your claim.
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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.
