The Department of Veterans Affairs said it has processed more disability benefits compensation and pension ratings claims in a single year than ever before.
“Under President Trump, VA is making major improvements to better serve veterans, and this announcement underscores that fact,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said. “We look forward to implementing more reforms to increase customer service and convenience for those we are charged with serving.”
In fiscal year 2024, VA said it processed a total of 2,517,519 ratings claims, and this year it reached an all-time high of 2,524,115 ratings claims issued Aug. 8 — nearly two months before the end of FY25, according to an Aug. 13 release.
Since Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20, the backlog of veterans waiting for VA benefits has dropped by more than 37 percent, after rising 24 percent during the Biden Administration, the release states.
In July, the Department completed more than 300,000 rating claims in a single month for the first time. It is also processing claims faster in FY25 than in FY24, completing them 17.8 percent faster even as receipts are 10 percent higher than this time last year, according to the release.
So far during the second Trump administration, the VA said they have opened 16 new health care clinics across the country, offered veterans nearly one million appointments outside of normal operating hours, and will spend an additional $800 million on infrastructure improvements to ensure its facilities provide safe and effective patient care.
Veterans can visit here to apply for their earned care and benefits.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.