Our look into the November 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is here. Learn how unrated VA disability applications changed in the last 30 days and how it may affect you below.
November 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Inventory Status
The November 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report lists all compensation and pension applications still pending the VBA’s determination decision. On November 3, we noted 365,481 unrated applications in the VA claims inventory category. For the first time since August, the November 2018 veterans disability benefits statistics report shows the claims inventory going down! This is great news heading into the holidays, since it’s usually a busy time for processing VA claims.
- As of November 3, 2018: 365,481
- As of October 6, 2018: 365,851
- Difference: -370
- Daily churn: -18.5 claims
What’s important to remember is that jut 37% of claims in the November 2018 veterans disability report involve first-time applicants. The remaining 73% come from disabled vets seeking supplementary benefits for new conditions or worsening symptoms. This 73% also includes applicants seeking a higher disability rating for conditions the VA already approved to receive benefits.
November 2018 Veterans Disability Benefits Statistics: Claims Backlog Status
All claims the VA hasn’t yet rated after 125 days move into the backlog category. The November 2018 report shows just 31 new backlogged claims. First-time applicants make up 46% of November’s backlogged claims.
- As of November 3, 2018: 84,383
- As of October 6, 2018: 84,352
- Difference: +31
- Daily churn: +1.55 claims added to the backlog
According to VBA data, about 35.4% of backlogged claims list more than eight different impairments waiting on the VA’s rating. Another 17% come from vets’ surviving spouses, children or parents.
You May Qualify for Legal Assistance
Professional help from a VA-accredited attorney helps you get paid the most benefits faster than you would filing on your own. Right now, 9 out of 10 veterans with lawyers prevail in court against the VA. You’ll pay nothing for help filing your claim or appealing the VA’s denial unless you win. And if you do win, then you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee.
Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free 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.