Let’s look over the April 2019 veterans disability benefits statistics report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See how VA disability pension and compensation claims numbers changed in the last 30 days below.
April 2019 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status
The April 2019 veterans disability benefits statistics report lists all unrated applications pending the VA’s decision. On April 6, the inventory held 360,992 unrated VA disability compensation and pension claims. As we predicted, half of last month’s huge jump in unrated claims already reversed itself. While the inventory’s still bigger than we saw at the start of 2019, the VA’s getting these numbers back down.
- As of April 6, 2019: 360,992
- As of March 2, 2019: 367,708
- Difference: -6,716
- Daily churn: -336 claims
Much like March, only 34% of unrated VA claims above are from first-time filers. The rest are supplemental claims for veterans who already get some monthly benefits.
April 2019 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status
Once 125 days goes by, the VA automatically moves all unrated inventory claims to the backlog. The claims inventory shrank from March to April, but the backlog rose very slightly month-over-month. It’s such a small shift upward that the April 2019 veterans disability benefits statistics report’s backlog basically stayed flat.
- As of April 6, 2019: 80,501
- As of March 2, 2019: 80,450
- Difference: +51
- Daily churn: +2.6 claims added to the backlog
Backlogged claims only affect 46% of first-time filers; the rest are all supplemental. About 1 in 4 backlogged applications list no more than 7 unrated disabilities from first-time applicants. Another 15% are first-time filers with eight or more conditions that need VA disability ratings. These are better backlog numbers than we’ve seen in months, but if you’re worried, talk to a lawyer.
You May Qualify for Free Legal Assistance
A VA-accredited lawyer can help you file your application or appeal your denial. All attorneys in our network offer free phone calls to give confidential claim advice by phone. Since these lawyers offer contingency-based help, you’ll pay nothing for professional help now. In fact, they won’t take on your case unless they believe that you’ll win. And if you do win, then you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee.
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.