March 14, 2013

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been swamped with a growing number of Veterans Disability Benefits claims in recent years. The high number of claims, in turn, has led to the system used to process them becoming bogged down. Estimates show there are currently more than 600,000 claims that have been awaiting an approval decision for more than 125 days.

These numbers are continuing to inflate daily. Experts say the number of veterans returning from service overseas claiming to be afflicted by eight or more serious conditions has grown in excess of 200 percent over the last ten years.

In an effort to solve this problem, the VA adopted a new computer system that was supposed to drive processing efficiency and help lower costs. The system was unable to produce satisfactory results during a demonstration before government officials last week though. According to a story from WVNSTV 59 News, the failed test prompted many legislators to question the system’s ability to meet goals set of lower the processing time for all claims by 2015.

Despite concerns, the system is set to roll out to disability claims processing offices across the country by the end of the year.

The Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys with Lundy Law understand the complexities of the Veterans Disability benefits process. The firm is here to help if you are preparing to file such a claim or have a claim that was denied in the past.