Every month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports on the claims inventory and backlog statistical changes that occurred within the past 30 days. Below, you can see at a glance how these numbers changed since October’s report update in our November 2016 veterans disability benefits snapshot.
November 2016 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status
The claims inventory report generated by the Veterans Benefits Administration for November shows both pension and compensation applications that are currently awaiting a determination decision from the VA. As of November 5, 2016, there were 386,118 claims belonging to this category. This uptick in claims inventory is pretty significant, comprising four times as many claims the VA managed to clear out during the same timeframe in October. Fluctuations up and down in claims inventory numbers from month-to-month is quite normal, but also gives applicants an idea of the demands currently placed on the VA regarding disability benefits.
- As of November 5, 2016: 378,468
- As of October 1, 2016: 378,468
- Difference: -2,220
- Daily churn: -111 claims
November 2016 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status
Any claim still pending a determination decision after more than 125 days goes into the backlog category. On November 5th, there were 84,041 backlog claims awaiting a determination decision from the VA. This is a large increase in claims listed under the backlog category during the past 30 days.
- As of November 5, 2016: 84,041
- As of October 1, 2016: 71,240
- Difference: +12,801
- Daily churn: +640.05 claims deleted from the backlog
While this big increase in backlogged claims may be disheartening to some, it’s important to remember that in 2013, more than 300,000 claims were sitting in the claims backlog. The November 2016 veterans disability benefits statistics report shows a 72% reduction in backlogged claims compared to 2013, which should be encouraging for disabled vets considering applying for benefits in the future.
Let An Experienced Attorney Help You
Before you apply for benefits, speak with a VA-accredited attorney first for free. Attorneys with experience filing VA disability benefits claims understand exactly what paperwork needs to be included with your application, especially regarding medical evidence to support your case. Additionally, a disability attorney can communicate with the VA on your behalf regarding your case or file your appeal. You’ll pay nothing now for professional help, as these attorneys always work on contingency. That means you’ll pay no legal fees whatsoever unless your claim’s eventually approved.
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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.