Department of Veterans Affairs Long-Standing Claims Processing Challenges Persist

March 7, 2007 Department of Veterans Affairs Long-Standing Claims Processing Challenges Persist The Government Accountability Office (GAO) sought to assess the timeliness of VA disability claims and appeals processing. In 2006, disability claims processing by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took an average of 127 days. In 2003 the average processing time was 111 days. Appeals resolution processing took an average of 657 days. In fiscal year 2004, appeals processing took an average of 529 days. The VA said that claims have increased in part because older veterans are filing first time claims. The VA also . . .