By Chris Elder

On February 23, 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the backlog for VA disability and pension benefits has remained below 100,000 claims, nearing pre-pandemic levels.

In 2024, the backlog reached more than 400,000 claims. In March 2013, the backlog exceeded 600,000, according to the VA’s claims backlog data

Pending claims are considered part of the backlog once they reach 125 days or more.

Reducing the backlog has been Secretary Collins’ top priority. In addition to lowering the backlog, the VA reports that it has:

• Opened 33 new VA health care facilities

• Processed 3 million disability claims in 2025

• Added 2.2 million appointments for veterans outside normal operating hours

• Housed 51,936 homeless veterans

However, this week’s brief did not address growing concerns surrounding the enforcement of the interim final rule titled Evaluate Rating: Impact of Medication.

Secretary Collins stated on X that:

“VA issued the rule to clarify existing policy and protect Veterans’ benefits in the wake of an ongoing court action.”

This rule has created significant concern among veteran organizations. Many veterans feel alienated and worry that injuries currently managed or improved through medication could be rated differently because the medication allows them to function.

Secretary Collins also stated that under his leadership, the VA will ensure that all veterans applying for benefits “receives everything they have earned as quickly and conveniently as possible.” He further emphasized that veterans’ comments on this rule are important and encouraged continued public feedback.

If you would like to submit a comment, you can do so here:

https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/VA-2026-VBA-0067-0001

The comment period for Evaluate Rating: Impact of Medication (AS49) closes on April 20, 2026. As of today, approximately 18,500 comments have been submitted.

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