The VA’s August 2023 veterans disability benefits statistics report is here, so let’s take a look. Each month, we analyze how claims filed with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) changed during the past 30 days. Learn how the VA’s latest claim numbers may impact veterans and their families below.
August 2023 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status
The August 2023 veterans disability benefits report lists any VA claims data changes in the past month. This monthly snapshot includes all applications for disability, pension, and survivor’s benefits waiting on the VA’s review. On August 5, the claims inventory held at least 944,000 applications for various VA benefits:
- As of August 5, 2023: 944,142
- As of July 1, 2023: 852,876
- Difference: +91,266
- Daily churn: +4,563 claims
Honestly, we’ve never seen this much of a jump before in total claims filed within a 30-day period. The August 2023 veterans benefits report reveals the VA just blew past its previous peak of 883,930 claims in July 2012. Today, the VA reports that it takes 125-132 days, on average, to review each veteran’s application for benefits.
The VA tracks appealed claims in a separate system. Here’s how long the agency takes to review appeals by claim type, based on July 2023’s AMA report:
- 543 days for direct review appeals that submit no new medical evidence
- 676 days for appealed claims that submit new medical evidence
- 692 days to process appeals requesting a hearing before a judge
August 2023 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status
Once pending VA claims sit for more than 125 days without a decision, then they move into the agency’s backlog. The August 2023 veterans disability benefits report’s backlog shows a significant increase in older claims since last month:
- As of August 5, 2023: 272,525
- As of July 1, 2023: 243,665
- Difference: +28,860
- Daily churn: +1,443 claims added to the backlog
It’s important to remember, though, that this month’s backlog remains well below its March 2013 peak of 611,073 VA claims.
The following vets are most impacted by this month’s backlog:
- 44% are Iraq and Afghanistan conflict vets who served during the early 2000s
- 27% are Vietnam vets
- 18% are Gulf War-era vets who served during the early 1990s
- 9% are peacetime veterans who served between the end of Vietnam and the start of the first Gulf War
Important: Worried the August 2023 veterans benefits report’s numbers could leave your own claim in limbo? Consult a veterans’ disability lawyer for free in order to learn how to potentially speed things up.
How to Qualify for Free VA Claim Help
During the last 12 months, the VA admitted it got 12% of claim reviews wrong by mistake. We believe that veterans should get all the money they’re owed for their military service – not just some of it. Let us connect you with a local VA-accredited attorney to fight the agency on your behalf.
This free attorney consultation service costs you nothing. Even better, it all starts with one phone call at home to answer your questions. Veterans with attorneys have the highest success rates with appealed claims. If an attorney can’t help you win benefits, then you pay $0 in legal fees.
Want free expert help with your VA claim? Click the button below to start your free online benefits quiz now and see if you may qualify:
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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.