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Using Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) published claims data, we’ve created a chart of the current VA claims backlog by state in 2026.
It should come as no surprise that the VA disability claim backlog is highest in the states with the largest veteran populations—more veterans means more claims.
For example, Texas (14,453), Florida (13,109), California (10,189), Georgia (5,740), and North Carolina (5,413) currently have the highest number of backlogged claims in the nation.
On the other end of the spectrum, the District of Columbia (161), Vermont (188), North Dakota (397), Rhode Island (377), and Delaware (436) have the lowest backlogged claim counts.
Nationally, there are 626,653 pending VA disability claims, of which 134,009 are backlogged. The average time to complete a claim is 123.4 days from submission to decision.
Table of Contents
Key Findings of Our Research
- The VA disability claims backlog has fallen dramatically from a decade-high of 417,855 in January 2024 to 134,009 in September 2025—a 67.9% reduction. The average time to complete a claim now stands at 123.4 days.
- The total number of pending VA disability claims has also dropped significantly, down from a peak of 1,098,340 in November 2023 to 626,653 in September 2025—a 43% decrease. While this is progress, the system remains under heavy strain.
- States with the highest number of backlogged claims include Texas (14,453), Florida (13,109), California (10,189), Georgia (5,740), and North Carolina (5,413).
- States and territories with the lowest number of backlogged claims include the District of Columbia (161), Vermont (188), North Dakota (397), Rhode Island (377), and Delaware (436).
Current VA Claims Backlog by State in 2026
| State | Total Backlogged Claims (High to Low) |
|---|---|
| Texas | 14,453 |
| Florida | 13,109 |
| California | 10,189 |
| Georgia | 5,740 |
| North Carolina | 5,413 |
| Virginia | 4,942 |
| Ohio | 4,232 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,231 |
| New York | 3,644 |
| Illinois | 3,387 |
| Tennessee | 3,380 |
| South Carolina | 3,278 |
| Alabama | 3,168 |
| Michigan | 3,135 |
| Arizona | 3,125 |
| Washington | 2,811 |
| Indiana | 2,473 |
| Louisiana | 2,450 |
| Maryland | 2,443 |
| Missouri | 2,246 |
| Colorado | 2,193 |
| New Jersey | 2,151 |
| Oklahoma | 2,127 |
| Outside US | 2,062 |
| Mississippi | 1,933 |
| Massachusetts | 1,822 |
| Wisconsin | 1,704 |
| Nevada | 1,689 |
| Kentucky | 1,675 |
| Arkansas | 1,645 |
| Oregon | 1,578 |
| Minnesota | 1,528 |
| Iowa | 1,297 |
| Kansas | 1,136 |
| New Mexico | 1,056 |
| Hawaii | 969 |
| Idaho | 924 |
| West Virginia | 922 |
| Connecticut | 819 |
| Nebraska | 814 |
| Utah | 793 |
| Maine | 658 |
| Montana | 598 |
| New Hampshire | 560 |
| Puerto Rico | 549 |
| South Dakota | 536 |
| Alaska | 484 |
| Delaware | 436 |
| North Dakota | 397 |
| Wyoming | 379 |
| Rhode Island | 377 |
| Vermont | 188 |
| District of Columbia | 161 |
Source: VBA claims data workload reports as of September 2025.
Pending and Backlogged VA Claims by State 2026
According to VBA data as of September 2025, here’s the total number of pending and backlogged claims by state, including the District of Columbia.
- A pending claim “includes VA disability compensation and VA pension claims received by VA that normally require a rating decision.”
- A backlogged 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 complete is the “average number of days it takes for the VBA to make a decision on a submitted VA disability claim.”
| State | Pending Claims | Backlogged Claims | Average Days to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15,383 | 3,168 | 124.63 |
| Alaska | 2,021 | 484 | 126.94 |
| Arizona | 14,956 | 3,125 | 124.46 |
| Arkansas | 7,592 | 1,645 | 126.86 |
| California | 47,631 | 10,189 | 119.58 |
| Colorado | 10,718 | 2,193 | 118.95 |
| Connecticut | 3,456 | 819 | 127.88 |
| Delaware | 1,886 | 436 | 123.85 |
| District of Columbia | 808 | 161 | 130.37 |
| Florida | 61,232 | 13,109 | 122.71 |
| Georgia | 29,030 | 5,740 | 123.19 |
| Hawaii | 3,999 | 969 | 119.86 |
| Idaho | 3,898 | 924 | 126 |
| Illinois | 15,268 | 3,387 | 129.17 |
| Indiana | 11,911 | 2,473 | 122.93 |
| Iowa | 5,671 | 1,297 | 129.42 |
| Kansas | 5,255 | 1,136 | 124.03 |
| Kentucky | 7,932 | 1,675 | 127.83 |
| Louisiana | 11,536 | 2,450 | 123.77 |
| Maine | 2,700 | 658 | 135.37 |
| Maryland | 12,025 | 2,443 | 123.04 |
| Massachusetts | 7,061 | 1,822 | 131.83 |
| Michigan | 13,980 | 3,135 | 127.01 |
| Minnesota | 7,153 | 1,528 | 120.61 |
| Mississippi | 9,009 | 1,933 | 128.31 |
| Missouri | 11,412 | 2,246 | 123.4 |
| Montana | 2,662 | 598 | 124.67 |
| Nebraska | 3,990 | 814 | 122.9 |
| Nevada | 7,832 | 1,689 | 124.55 |
| New Hampshire | 2,348 | 560 | 128.41 |
| New Jersey | 8,817 | 2,151 | 134.4 |
| New Mexico | 4,447 | 1,056 | 131.88 |
| New York | 15,693 | 3,644 | 125.89 |
| North Carolina | 26,762 | 5,413 | 120.67 |
| North Dakota | 1,551 | 397 | 136.15 |
| Ohio | 19,012 | 4,232 | 126.06 |
| Oklahoma | 10,381 | 2,127 | 122.47 |
| Oregon | 6,892 | 1,578 | 127.01 |
| Outside US | 7,120 | 2,062 | 134.85 |
| Pennsylvania | 18,116 | 4,231 | 128.95 |
| Puerto Rico | 4,209 | 549 | 81.48 |
| Rhode Island | 1,445 | 377 | 127.72 |
| South Carolina | 15,976 | 3,278 | 121.95 |
| South Dakota | 2,120 | 536 | 128.31 |
| Tennessee | 15,988 | 3,380 | 121.95 |
| Texas | 72,166 | 14,453 | 120.63 |
| Utah | 3,788 | 793 | 121.92 |
| Vermont | 756 | 188 | 140.47 |
| Virginia | 23,864 | 4,942 | 122.25 |
| Washington | 13,308 | 2,811 | 124.36 |
| West Virginia | 3,957 | 922 | 129.35 |
| Wisconsin | 8,385 | 1,704 | 123.17 |
| Wyoming | 1,545 | 379 | 134.03 |
Source: VBA claims data workload reports as of September 2025.
Conclusion and Wrap-Up
Significant progress continues to be made in processing VA disability claims nationwide, as efforts to reduce the backlog yield measurable results.
- The number of backlogged VA disability claims, which hit a decade-high of 417,855 in January 2024, has since dropped to 134,009 as of September 2025—a dramatic 67.9% decrease.
- Likewise, pending VA disability claims, which peaked at 1,098,340 in November 2023, now stand at 626,653 as of September 2025—a meaningful 43% decline.
These improvements highlight the VA’s ongoing push to streamline the claims process and bring veterans closer to the benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
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 September 2025, there are 626,653 pending VA disability claims, including 134,009 that are considered backlogged.
3) What is the average time to complete a VA disability claim?
The national average is currently 123.4 days from submission to decision.
4) How much progress has been made since the recent peaks?
Backlogged claims dropped from a decade-high of 417,855 in January 2024 to 134,009 in September 2025—a 67.9% decrease. Pending claims fell from 1,098,340 in November 2023 to 626,653—a 43% decrease.
5) Which states have the most backlogged VA claims?
The top five are Texas (14,453), Florida (13,109), California (10,189), Georgia (5,740), and North Carolina (5,413).
6) Which states and territories have the fewest backlogged claims?
The lowest numbers are found in the District of Columbia (161), Vermont (188), Rhode Island (377), Wyoming (379), and Delaware (436).
7) Does living in a high-backlog state mean my claim will take longer?
Not necessarily. While large states with more veterans see more claims overall, what matters most is whether your claim is complete, well-documented, and supported by medical evidence.
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?
Differences in staffing, training, claim volume, and the types of claims filed all affect how quickly claims move through the system.
10) Where does this data come from?
All figures come from official Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) workload reports. The most recent data in this analysis reflects September 2025.
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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.
