July 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits

July 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics Report Analysis

The July 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report is now available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See how the VA claims numbers changed during the past 30 days and what the report means for veterans below.



July 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status

The July 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report lists all unrated VA claims still pending with the Veterans Benefits Administration. On July 7, 2018, the VA claims inventory category rose to 349,319 unrated applications. This is the first month we’ve seen numbers go up in a while. And according to the last three months’ issue-level accuracy report, the VBA rates claims correctly about 95% of the time. But just for comparison’s sake, in July 2012, the inventory held 883,930 claims — that’s a 150% reduction in six years.

  • As of July 7, 2018: 349,319
  • As of June 2, 2018: 338,105
  • Difference: +11,214
  • Daily churn: +510 claims

VA data shows that original claims with eight or more disabilities listed rose 200% in the last decade. Ever wonder what kinds of unrated claims are in this month’s inventory category?

July 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Breakdown by Type

  • 63% are supplemental claims (220,071 total unrated claims)
  • 37% are original claims (129,248 total unrated claims)

July 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status

The backlog holds all unrated VA claims that are more than 125 days old. The July 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report shows a pretty big jump in backlogged claims. But when you look at, say, March 2013’s backlog of 611,073 claims, this month’s numbers look pretty good. That means the VA reduced its current claims backlog more than 700% since July 2012. Wow!

  • As of July 7, 2018: 76,028
  • As of June 2, 2018: 69,718
  • Difference: +6,310
  • Daily churn: +300.5 claims added to the backlog

While any backlog increase may sound bad, the VA says that 81% of veterans filing supplemental claims already get some benefits. Plus, 10% of those vets have a 100% VA disability rating and already get at least $2,800/month in benefits.

Want professional help fighting the VA for much-needed disability benefits? You’ll pay nothing to consult with one of our VA-accredited lawyers about your claim. And if your claim was originally denied, a lawyer helps 9 in 10 veterans win benefits at their appeals hearing. And the Equal Access to Justice Act may make the government pay your legal fees if your appeal does win. Getting a lawyer to handle your claim is the best way to get paid the most benefits you deserve faster.

Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free benefits evaluation now!

Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation

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.