As Expected, VA Claims Backlog Drops Below 800,000

The Veterans Affairs Department hit its goal of cutting the disability claims backlog to below 800,000 sometime on Wednesday, but we will all have to wait until next Monday for the final tally, department spokeswoman Meagan Lutz told me.

She said this was the first time claims awaiting rating by examiners dipped below 800,000 since April 11, 2011, when they totaled 797,801.  VA on Monday reported claims awaiting rating stood at 801,931, with 524,711 claims backlogged more than 125 days.

Lutz said VA will also re-examine how it presents these vitals stats. Currently the topline number confuses folks who eyeball them weekly – including me.