Summary
Veterans in the United States are seeing better access to pension and compensation benefits due to a big drop in claims processing backlogs by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA has reduced its backlog significantly since President Donald Trump's second term began. Additional support is coming from new laws and private sector efforts.
Key Facts
- The VA reduced its backlog of claims by 57% since President Trump's second term, from 264,717 to 112,353 claims.
- The VA processed a record 3,001,734 disability compensation and pension claims in fiscal year 2025.
- In July, the VA reached its highest monthly processing figure with 300,799 claims completed.
- The VA's processing accuracy rate rose to 93.5% in September 2025.
- In fiscal year 2025, the VA distributed $195 billion in compensation and pension payments to over 6.9 million veterans and survivors.
- New York passed laws in 2025 to protect veterans from pension fraud and to expand job awareness for disabled veterans.
- Bank of America awarded a $350,000 grant to support 250 veteran mentorships.
- A cost-of-living adjustment in 2026 will increase benefits for disabled veterans and military retirees by 2.8%.
