Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reduced the backlog of veterans' benefit claims by 63% since the previous year. As of February 2026, the number of pending claims is now below 100,000.
Key Facts
- The backlog of benefit claims for veterans decreased by 63% from January 2025 to February 2026.
- There are now fewer than 100,000 pending claims.
- The VA considers claims delayed if they are pending for more than 125 days.
- In 2025, the VA processed over 3 million disability compensation and pension claims.
- The VA distributed $195 billion in payments to more than 6.9 million veterans and survivors in 2025.
- The VA opened 33 new health care facilities and permanently housed over 51,000 homeless veterans in 2025.
- Weekly data on claims and backlog numbers is available to the public for tracking progress.
