Every month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs releases updated reports listing the current inventory and backlog numbers from the VA. Learn how these numbers changed during the last 30 days in our May 2017 veterans disability benefits statistical summary below.
May 2017 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status
Each month’s report from the Veterans Benefits Administration lists any applications still waiting for a determination decision from the VA in the claims inventory category. As of May 6, 2017, the claims inventory category held 370,483 pending applications. The May 2017 veterans disability benefits statistics report showed significantly fewer claims logged in the inventory category, which continues the downward trend shown in both March and April.
- As of May 6, 2017: 370,483
- As of April 1, 2017: 375,646
- Difference: -5,163
- Daily churn: -215 claims
May 2017 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status
Any applications that are still waiting for the VA’s determination decision after 125 days are automatically listed under the claims backlog category. According to the May 2017 veterans disability benefits statistics report, the backlog category contained 94,059 claims. For the third month in a row, the agency’s efforts to reduce the claims backlog appear to be working – more than 100 applications were cleared out each day over the previous month.
- As of May 6, 2017: 94,059
- As of April 1, 2017: 97,382
- Difference: -3,323
- Daily churn: -183.45 claims cleared from the backlog
These claim backlog numbers are more consistent with the statistics we saw during 2016 after January’s temporary spike above 100,000. In months where both the claims backlog and inventory numbers fall significantly, it could potentially speed up the application review process for any disabled vets still waiting to hear back from the VA.
You May Qualify For Legal Assistance
Before filing your own disability claim or disputing an unfavorable decision from the VA, consult with a VA-accredited attorney in your area to improve your odds of winning benefits. An experienced disability advocate or lawyer can ensure your paperwork is correct, include medical evidence needed to support your disability claim, request updates from the VA about your claim’s current status, and appeal on your behalf, if needed. Most importantly, VA-accredited attorneys won’t charge you any out-of-pocket fees. In fact, you’ll pay nothing at all unless they can help you win benefits from the VA.
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.