VA reduces benefits backlog as concerns linger over potential cuts

By Brett Rowland
The Center Square

The Department of Veterans Affairs said it processed more disability benefits compensation and pension ratings claims in a year than ever before, despite concerns that potential cuts could hobble the agency.

VA processed a total of 2,517,519 ratings claims in fiscal year 2024. The department hit an all-time high of 2,524,115 ratings claims issued as of Aug. 8, with two months left before the end of the fiscal year.

The milestone is one in a string of processing achievements. The backlog of veterans waiting for benefits has dropped by more than 37% since President Donald Trump took office. The backlog rose 24% during the Biden Administration, VA officials said.

In July, VA completed more than 300,000 ratings claims in a single month for the first time. Officials said the agency processed claims faster in fiscal year 2025 than in the prior year, completing them 17.8% faster even as receipts were 10% higher than in the same time period last year.

“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.”

Since Jan. 20, VA has opened 16 new health care clinics and offered veterans nearly 1 million appointments outside regular operating hours. The agency plans to spend an additional $800 million on infrastructure in the coming years. VA eliminated the department’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs, saving $14 million.

Last week, the VA canceled its contracts with most unions, saying the unions fight against the best interests of veterans. Leaders said the money would be directed toward helping veterans. In 2024 alone, more than 1,900 VA bargaining-unit employees worked more than 750,000 hours on taxpayer-funded union time.

VA officials looked at plans to return to 2019 staffing levels of just under 400,000 employees, but the agency hasn’t implemented widespread cuts. Any reductions could come through attrition, although most polls show veterans are worried about any cuts to the agency.