June 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics Report Review

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs just released its June 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report. See how the VA claims inventory and backlog numbers changed since May’s report and what it means for veterans below.

June 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status

The June 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report lists all VA claims still pending with the Veterans Benefits Administration. On June 2, 2018, the VA claims inventory category dropped to 338,105 unrated applications. So, this month’s claims inventory looked a lot like what we saw in April 2018. And compare this number to a year ago and it’s even more striking. Last June, the inventory held 369,191 unrated claims. The VA’s staff lowered June’s VA claims inventory almost 8.5% compared to one year ago. With so much going on at the VA these days, that’s no small feat! Since the VA’s trying to process disability claims in 30 days or less, vets should feel confident applying for benefits.

• As of June 2, 2018: 338,105
• As of May 5, 2018: 342,717
• Difference: -4,612
• Daily churn: -230.6 claims

Ever wonder which vets have unrated claims in the June 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report’s inventory category? See the breakdown by service area below.

June 2018 Total Pending Claims by Service Era

• World War II veterans: 2.3% (7,776 unrated claims)
• Korean War veterans: 4% (13,524 unrated claims)
• Peacetime veterans (served between Vietnam and Gulf Wars): 11% (37,192 unrated claims)
• Post-9/11 veterans (Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts): 24% (81,145 unrated claims)
• Vietnam War veterans: 28% (94,669 unrated claims)
• Gulf War veterans: 30% (101,431 unrated claims)

June 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status

VA claims move into the backlog category after 125 days without a rating decision. The VA cleared half as many backlogged claims in the June 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report as in May. But compared to June 2017, the VA’s backlog is now two-thirds the size it was just one year ago! That’s real progress, and we salute the agency’s hard-working staff for clearing over 20,000 backlogged claims in 12 months.

• As of June 2, 2018: 69,718
• As of May 5, 2018: 71,531
• Difference: -1,813
• Daily churn: -90.65 claims cleared from the backlog

Ever wonder which vets have the most unrated claims in the June 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report? We’ll break down the claims backlog for each service era for you below.

June 2018 Backlogged Claims by Service Era

• World War II veterans: 2.6% (1,813 unrated claims more than 125 days old)
• Korean War veterans: 5.3% (3,695 unrated claims more than 125 days old)
• Peacetime veterans (served between Vietnam and Gulf Wars): 12% (8,366 unrated claims more than 125 days old)
• Vietnam War veterans: 23% (16,035 unrated claims over 125 days old)
• Post-9/11 veterans (served during Iraq & Afghanistan conflicts): 26% (18,127 unrated claims over 125 days old)
• Gulf War veterans: 31% (21,613 unrated claims over 125 days old)

You May Qualify for Free Legal Assistance

Want professional help with your VA claim or appeal? Our VA-accredited lawyers charge nothing up front, and you’ll avoid basic paperwork mistakes. Last year, veterans with lawyers won 90% of their appeals against the VA.

And if you’re already at the appeal stage when you win, the federal government may cover your fees. A federal law called the Equal Access to Justice Act pays legal fees for anyone who successfully sues the government for making a mistake. So if the VA wrongly denied you benefits, the EAJA may pay your lawyer’s fees!

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

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