The April 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is here. Learn how the VA claims inventory and backlog numbers changed in the last month in our analysis below.
April 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status
The April 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report lists all compensation and pension claims pending with the Veterans Benefits Administration. On April 7, 2018, the report showed 337,577 unrated disability applications filed under the VA claims inventory category. That’s a huge spike in pending claim numbers compared to March, which ended VA Secretary Shulkin’s time overseeing the agency. However, this month’s higher claims inventory numbers are hardly a cause for concern. This time last year, the category listed 375,646 claims — 10% more than the April 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report.
- As of April 7, 2018: 337,577
- As of March 3, 2018: 328,794
- Difference: +8,783
- Daily churn: +439 claims
Anytime we see a dramatic rise like this in the claims inventory, the numbers typically go back down again the following month. If you’re a disabled vet who hasn’t yet applied for benefits, don’t let the April 2018 veterans disability benefits report discourage you! The VA is actively putting measures in place to speed up claim reviews, with some resolved in as little as 30 days.
April 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status
If the VA hasn’t issued a determination decision on your claim after 125 days, it moves into the backlog. The VA cleared over 300 backlogged claims every day, according to April’s report. In fact, the VA cleared more than twice as many backlogged claims since the last report came out. While the claims inventory rose, the backlog shrank almost as much in that 30-day period.
- As of April 7, 2018: 75,138
- As of March 3, 2018: 81,872
- Difference: -6,734
- Daily churn: -337 claims cleared from the backlog
The Rapid Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (RAMP) recently started mailing out notices to vets with the oldest pending appeals. If you received a RAMP letter and want your claim expedited through this program, complete and return your election form. If you feel the VA mistakenly denied your claim and already submitted all available evidence, choose the “Higher-Level Review” lane. But if you have new evidence to support your claim (or need help gathering it), you’ll select “Supplemental Claim Lane.”
You May Qualify for Legal Assistance
If you find the VA’s claims process confusing, you’re not alone. Our VA-accredited lawyers can help you with your initial claim paperwork, or fight to win you benefits when you appeal. You can also schedule a confidential, in-person meeting to get VA claim advice that applies to your specific situation. And if our lawyer helps you win benefits, then you’ll pay a small, one-time fee. It’s the best way to get the most VA benefits you deserve paid faster. A lawyer can also help you avoid making basic mistakes on your claim paperwork that would normally result in denial.
Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free online benefits evaluation now!
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Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.