Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Answers?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226
Using Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) published claims data, we’ve created a chart of the current VA claims backlog by state in CY 2026.
As of January 2026, it’s no surprise the VA’s backlog tends to cluster in the biggest, highest-volume states—more veterans and more filings usually means more claims waiting longer than VA’s target.
Right now, the highest backlogged claim counts are in Texas (10,911), Florida (10,286), California (7,758), Georgia (4,250), and North Carolina (3,995).
On the other end of the spectrum, the lowest backlogged counts are in the District of Columbia (135), Vermont (165), Rhode Island (253), Wyoming (288), and Delaware (318).
Nationally, there are 551,895 pending VA disability claims, including 100,115 backlogged claims. The average time to decide a claim is 85.16 days (overall) as of January 2026.
Table of Contents
Key Findings of Our Research
- National workload (as of January 2026): 551,895 pending VA disability claims, including 100,115 backlogged; 85.16 days average time to decision.
- Backlog reality: Backlogged claims tend to concentrate in high-volume states—more veterans and more filings usually means more claims aging past VA’s timeliness target.
- Highest backlogged states (as of January 2026): Texas (10,911), Florida (10,286), California (7,758), Georgia (4,250), North Carolina (3,995).
- Lowest backlogged jurisdictions (as of January 2026): District of Columbia (135), Vermont (165), Rhode Island (253), Wyoming (288), Delaware (318).
VA Claims Backlog by State (2026 Update)
| State | Backlogged VA Claims (Highest to Lowest) |
|---|---|
| Texas | 10911 |
| Florida | 10286 |
| California | 7758 |
| Georgia | 4250 |
| North Carolina | 3995 |
| Virginia | 3883 |
| Pennsylvania | 3122 |
| Ohio | 3073 |
| New York | 2833 |
| Illinois | 2479 |
| Arizona | 2478 |
| South Carolina | 2459 |
| Alabama | 2427 |
| Tennessee | 2418 |
| Michigan | 2234 |
| Washington | 2213 |
| Maryland | 2013 |
| Louisiana | 1897 |
| Missouri | 1734 |
| Indiana | 1729 |
| New Jersey | 1648 |
| Oklahoma | 1612 |
| Colorado | 1538 |
| Mississippi | 1513 |
| Wisconsin | 1334 |
| Arkansas | 1291 |
| Kentucky | 1266 |
| Massachusetts | 1241 |
| Oregon | 1236 |
| Nevada | 1231 |
| Minnesota | 1188 |
| Iowa | 1017 |
| Kansas | 929 |
| New Mexico | 834 |
| Hawaii | 671 |
| West Virginia | 666 |
| Idaho | 620 |
| Utah | 618 |
| Connecticut | 615 |
| Nebraska | 596 |
| Puerto Rico | 551 |
| Montana | 493 |
| Maine | 476 |
| South Dakota | 474 |
| New Hampshire | 411 |
| Alaska | 372 |
| North Dakota | 323 |
| Delaware | 318 |
| Wyoming | 288 |
| Rhode Island | 253 |
| Vermont | 165 |
| District of Columbia | 135 |
Source: VBA claims data workload reports as of January 2026.
Pending, Backlogged, and Average Days to Decide a VA Claim by State in 2026 (Sorted Alphabetically)
According to VBA workload data as of January 2026, here’s the total number of pending and backlogged claims by state, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
- A Pending VA Claim “includes VA disability compensation and VA pension claims received by VA that normally require a rating decision.”
- A Backlogged VA Claim is a “VA disability claim that requires a rating decision but has been pending for more than 125 days since receipt without a decision.”
- The Average Days to Decide is the “average number of days it takes for the VBA to make a rating decision on a submitted VA disability claim.”
| State | Pending VA Claims | Backlogged VA Claims | Average Days to Decide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 13395 | 2427 | 83.26 |
| Alaska | 1788 | 372 | 88.29 |
| Arizona | 14226 | 2478 | 81.25 |
| Arkansas | 6834 | 1291 | 84.62 |
| California | 41950 | 7758 | 87.04 |
| Colorado | 9213 | 1538 | 78.83 |
| Connecticut | 3157 | 615 | 89.79 |
| Delaware | 1565 | 318 | 88.3 |
| District of Columbia | 683 | 135 | 82.79 |
| Florida | 53849 | 10286 | 86.54 |
| Georgia | 26584 | 4250 | 77.93 |
| Hawaii | 3509 | 671 | 83.86 |
| Idaho | 3497 | 620 | 81.08 |
| Illinois | 13515 | 2479 | 84.39 |
| Indiana | 10183 | 1729 | 79.58 |
| Iowa | 4939 | 1017 | 91.38 |
| Kansas | 4881 | 929 | 83.35 |
| Kentucky | 7239 | 1266 | 82.87 |
| Louisiana | 10182 | 1897 | 81.4 |
| Maine | 2339 | 476 | 92.38 |
| Maryland | 11215 | 2013 | 81.31 |
| Massachusetts | 6029 | 1241 | 95.21 |
| Michigan | 12159 | 2234 | 85.05 |
| Minnesota | 6831 | 1188 | 82.67 |
| Mississippi | 7932 | 1513 | 85.19 |
| Missouri | 10306 | 1734 | 81.05 |
| Montana | 2401 | 493 | 88.24 |
| Nebraska | 3646 | 596 | 77.35 |
| Nevada | 6787 | 1231 | 84.32 |
| New Hampshire | 2030 | 411 | 88.91 |
| New Jersey | 7798 | 1648 | 90.41 |
| New Mexico | 4132 | 834 | 86.84 |
| New York | 14161 | 2833 | 88.8 |
| North Carolina | 23561 | 3995 | 80.44 |
| North Dakota | 1312 | 323 | 95.81 |
| Ohio | 17314 | 3073 | 83.1 |
| Oklahoma | 8913 | 1612 | 82.25 |
| Oregon | 6598 | 1236 | 88.99 |
| Pennsylvania | 16010 | 3122 | 87.68 |
| Puerto Rico | 3793 | 551 | 68.91 |
| Rhode Island | 1239 | 253 | 90.12 |
| South Carolina | 14301 | 2459 | 84.09 |
| South Dakota | 1928 | 474 | 93.49 |
| Tennessee | 14071 | 2418 | 81.55 |
| Texas | 63847 | 10911 | 79.49 |
| Utah | 3586 | 618 | 76.91 |
| Vermont | 714 | 165 | 97.45 |
| Virginia | 21533 | 3883 | 83.72 |
| Washington | 11820 | 2213 | 84.27 |
| West Virginia | 3542 | 666 | 88.98 |
| Wisconsin | 7548 | 1334 | 81.74 |
| Wyoming | 1310 | 288 | 95 |
Source: VBA claims data workload reports as of January 2026.
Conclusion and Wrap-Up
Significant progress continues to be made in processing VA disability claims nationwide, with measurable improvements reflected in the latest workload totals.
As of January 2026, the VA is tracking 551,895 pending disability claims, including 100,115 backlogged claims. The average time to decide a claim is 85.16 days.
These updated figures show the VA’s ongoing push to streamline claims processing—while also underscoring that the system is still carrying a large volume of work across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the difference between pending and backlogged VA claims?
A pending claim is any VA disability or pension claim still awaiting a rating decision. A backlogged claim is one that has been pending more than 125 days without a decision.
2) How many VA disability claims are pending and backlogged right now?
As of January 2026, there are 551,895 pending VA disability claims, including 100,115 that are considered backlogged.
3) What is the average time to complete a VA disability claim?
The national average is 85.16 days from submission to decision (overall average as of January 2026).
4) How much progress has been made on the VA claims backlog as well as pending claims?
Backlogged claims dropped from a decade-high of 417,855 in January 2024 to 134,009 in September 2025 (down 67.93%), then to 100,115 in January 2026 (down another 25.29%—down 76.04% overall from January 2024). Pending claims fell from 1,098,340 in November 2023 to 626,653 in September 2025 (down 42.95%), then to 551,895 in January 2026 (down another 11.93%—down 49.75% overall from November 2023).
5) Which states have the most backlogged VA claims?
The top five as of January 2026 are Texas (10,911), Florida (10,286), California (7,758), Georgia (4,250), and North Carolina (3,995).
6) Which states and territories have the fewest backlogged claims?
The lowest backlogged counts as of January 2026 are District of Columbia (135), Vermont (165), Rhode Island (253), Wyoming (288), and Delaware (318).
7) Does living in a high-backlog state mean my claim will take longer?
Not necessarily. While large states often have more claims overall, processing time is driven more by whether your claim is complete, well-organized, and supported by strong medical evidence than by your state alone.
8) Does being in the backlog mean my claim will be denied?
No. Backlog status only reflects how long your claim has been waiting. It has nothing to do with whether VA will approve or deny your benefits.
9) Why do processing times vary by state or territory?
Processing times can vary based on claim volume, staffing levels, training and experience, and the complexity of the claims being worked in that region.
10) Where does this data come from?
All figures are from Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) workload reporting, with the most recent data in this analysis reflecting January 2026.
Want to INCREASE Your VA Rating AND Unlock $19,725 Worth of High-Value VA Claim Resources for FREE?
I’m about to make you one of the craziest offers I’ve ever made…
Why would I do this?
A few reasons:
- GOD – I believe God put me here on earth to serve Veterans. You are my purpose for existing.
- FINANCIAL FREEDOM – I want to help you change your life by getting more tax-free compensation and benefits you’ve earned from the VA.
- JUSTICE & VALIDATION – I want you to get the justice and validation you deserve for serving our country.
Okay Brian, what is this crazy offer?
➡️ First, I’m going to let you join our #1 rated VA Claims Insider Elite program today where you’ll learn how to potentially increase your VA rating faster (with no fee up-front – if we don’t win, you don’t pay). Click HERE to view our published Pricing Guide.
➡️ Second, I’m going to gift you $19,725+ worth of high-value VA claim resources for FREE right now just for signing up today.
The “Got Your Six” Veteran Bonus: Don’t Miss This Offer!
Here’s a sliver of what you get TODAY:
✅ Insider Portal + Personal Coach – From day one, you’re not alone anymore. You’ll be plugged into our private Insider Portal AND matched with your very own Coach. Inside: 40+ live classes a month, step-by-step tutorials, videos, and templates. This is your battle plan to finally break free from the VA maze and win faster. ($5,000 VALUE)
✅ 24/7/365 Mastermind Access – Imagine having an entire army of experts and fellow veterans on call, day or night. That’s what you get in our LIVE 24/7/365 mastermind. Real veterans. Real answers. Breakthroughs when you need them most. ($564 VALUE)
✅ The Insider’s Guide to Tinnitus – This is the #1 claim nearly every veteran qualifies for…but most get wrong. We’ll hand you the exact playbook to file it right, fully documented, so you don’t leave thousands on the table. ($1,000 VALUE)
✅ Dependent’s Scholarship Secret – What if your service could also help pay for your spouse or kids’ education? We’ll unlock a little-known, direct-award scholarship that changes your family’s future in an instant. ($5,000 VALUE)
✅ 100% P&T Roadmap – The holy grail. If eligible, we’ll show you the exact path to P&T disability: no property taxes, insane additional benefits, and $4,000+ per month — tax-free, for life. Imagine the peace in knowing the VA won’t re-evaluate you again. ($4,000 VALUE)
TOTAL VALUE SO FAR TODAY = $15,564
Plus, I’m Gifting You These 3 FREE Bonuses Right Now:
💵 [BONUS #1] The “SEM Method Blueprint” with video explainer so you know HOW to WIN your VA Claim FASTER, regardless of past denials or the VA claims backlog ($1,997 VALUE)
💵 [BONUS #2] Members-only access to VetNext AI the world’s #1 AI Chatbot for VA disability claims ($1,164 VALUE)
💵 [BONUS #3] Members-only discounted pricing to our preferred provider network for DBQs, Nexus Letters, Mental Health Evaluations, and more ($1,000 VALUE)
TOTAL VALUE RIGHT NOW WITH THE FREE BONUSES = $19,725
To get this crazy offer, click HERE right now and complete the 3-step intake process or click the button:
Note: A VA Claim Expert Coach will reach out to you in minutes via email to get you started on your VA claim success journey!
***Hurry because this offer can close at any time depending on demand***
I can’t wait to meet you, serve you, and help you change your life.
Talk Soon,
Brian Reese, Air Force Service-Disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider
P.S. If you join today, you’ll get a FREE copy of my brand-new eBook VA Claim Secrets: Expert Tips and Proven Strategies to Win Your VA Disability Claim Faster. ***This is a limited time offer!***
Want Expert-Level VA Claim Help? WE GOT YOUR SIX!
- VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims.
- Work directly with a VA Claims Insider Coach who can help lead you to VA claim victory.
- 25,000+ disabled veterans served in our membership programs since 2016.
- 30% average rating increase for veterans who complete our #1 rated Elite program.
- 4.6/5.0 average rating out of 6,000+ total reviews; over 5,000 5-star reviews.
Content Reviewed By
Quality Assurance Team
The Quality Assurance (QA) team at VA Claims Insider has extensive experience researching, fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy in all produced content. The QA team consists of individuals with specialized knowledge in the VA disability claims adjudication processes, laws and regulations, and they understand the needs of our target audience. Any changes or suggestions the QA team makes are thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the content by our writers and creators.
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.
