The first week of every month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publishes a report showing current claims inventory and backlog numbers for all VA disability benefits applications. In our July 2017 veterans disability benefits statistics snapshot, we explore how those claims numbers changed during the last month.
July 2017 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status
Both pension and compensation claims currently awaiting the VA’s determination decision are shown in each month’s statistical report from the Veterans Benefits Administration. On July 1, 2017, the claims inventory category held 368,858 applications. Claims inventory numbers dipped once more for the fourth month in a row, according to the July 2017 veterans disability benefits statistics report. It’s just a small drop compared to previous monthly numbers shifts, but it’s definitely helpful for veterans hoping to speed up the review and disbursement of benefits for any approved claims.
- As of July 1, 2017: 368,858
- As of June 3, 2017: 369,191
- Difference: -333
- Daily churn: -16.66 claims
July 2017 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status
Any disability benefits applications that wait more than 125 days for the VA’s determination decision fall into the claims backlog category. The VA shows 90,318 backlogged claims during the past month. Much like the claims inventory reduction, numbers are only slightly lower this month compared to June. Regardless, any efforts to reduce the backlog means that eligible veterans are one step closer to getting the much-needed benefits they deserve.
- As of July 1, 2017: 90,318
- As of June 3, 2017: 90,866
- Difference: -548
- Daily churn: -27.4 claims cleared from the backlog
While this month’s report didn’t show much change in overall claim numbers, the steady downward trend just keeps going. If you’ve put off applying for benefits, now might be the best time for you to submit your claim!
You May Qualify For Legal Assistance
Want help filing your own claim or appealing your denial? You may qualify for legal assistance from a VA-accredited attorney within our legal network. An experienced attorney or advocate can walk you through every step in the claims process, communicate with the VA for you and handle confusing paperwork. Your disability advocate or attorney can gather medical evidence required to support your disability claim and handle appeals at every adjudicative level, if necessary. If you qualify for legal assistance, you’ll pay nothing upfront. In fact, you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee after your claim’s approval.
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.