VA Processes a Record 3.11 Million Disability Claims in Fiscal 2026 as Backlog Falls More Than 70 Percent
Washington — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on October 15 that it processed 3,111,399 disability compensation claims in fiscal year 2026, breaking the previous record of 3,001,734 set in fiscal 2025.
The department said its claims backlog has fallen by more than 70 percent, processing accuracy reached 94 percent, the highest in two years, and more than 60 percent of claims were granted, with only about 3 percent of decisions appealed to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Average processing time has fallen 46 percent since January 20, 2025. More than 300,000 veterans newly enrolled in VA health care in 2026, 43 new medical facilities opened, and after-hours appointments topped 3.4 million.
Secretary Doug Collins said the VA will keep putting veterans first as it works to speed up claims processing and health care delivery.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于华盛顿特区的美国退伍军人事务部总部大楼（资料图）。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，G. Edward Johnson 摄，CC BY 4.0 授权 / Photo: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C. (file photo). Source: Wikimedia Commons, by G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0.
