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The Department of Veterans Affairs processed over 2 million disability claims in 2025, breaking records for speed. Average processing time dropped to 132 days, down from 141 days at the start of the year. The backlog fell below 200,000 claims for the first time since spring 2023.
That’s good news if you’re thinking about filing. Better news if you file in January. Here’s why:
Medical Records Start Fresh
Your medical records for 2025 are complete. Doctor visits, emergency room trips, prescriptions filled, procedures done. Everything from last year is documented and ready to submit.
The VA needs evidence of current disability. Recent medical records carry more weight than old ones. A diagnosis from December 2025 matters more than one from 2020. Treatment records from the past 12 months show the VA how your condition affects you now, not how it affected you years ago.
January gives you a clean window. You can gather all of last year’s records at once. Many medical providers make annual records requests easier than pulling files from multiple years. Your VA medical center can print your 2025 visit summaries in one request.
Private doctors keep records by calendar year, and requesting 2025 records gets you everything in one file. No need to piece together visits across different time periods or track down multiple record requests.
Tax Season Means Documentation Season
You need your medical expenses documented for taxes anyway. Gather records for your accountant, and use the same records for your claim.
Veterans filing for individual unemployability status need income documentation. Tax season forces you to compile employment records, W-2s and proof of job loss or reduced hours. You’ll already have everything organized for your tax return. Submit the same documentation to the VA.
Compensation and Pension exams require travel. If you’re tracking mileage for tax deductions, you’re already documenting dates and distances. Use that same log for your claim file.
The Backlog Drops in Winter
VA claims show seasonal patterns. The backlog peaks in late spring and summer, drops in fall and winter. As of December 2024, the backlog sat at 260,000 claims. Compare that to over 400,000 earlier in the year.
Fewer claims get filed during the holidays. Veterans focus on family, travel and time off. The January surge hasn’t hit yet. February and March bring tax refunds and New Year motivation, flooding the system with new claims.
File in January, and your claim enters the queue before the spring rush. Processing times stay lower when the backlog is smaller.
The VA hired more staff and improved technology for processing. Automated decision support helps identify evidence faster. But staffing and technology can only do so much when the claim volume spikes. Beat the rush.
Intent to File Locks In Your Date
Not ready to file a complete claim? Submit an Intent to File.
An Intent to File sets your effective date. File it in January 2026, and submit your complete claim by January 2027, and your benefits start from January 2026 if approved. You get retroactive pay for the full year.
The one-year window gives you time to gather evidence, schedule exams, and get nexus letters from doctors. But the effective date stays locked at your Intent to File date.
This matters for thousands of dollars. A 70% rating pays $1,716.28 per month in 2025. Wait to file in December instead of January, and you lose 11 months of back pay. That’s $18,878.
File the Intent to File online through VA.gov. It takes five minutes, no evidence required, and simply establishes your date.
What You Need Before You File
Get your DD-214 or discharge papers. The VA needs proof of service dates and discharge status.
Document your current disability. See a doctor if you haven’t recently. The VA rates your current condition, not what you dealt with five years ago. Recent diagnoses and treatment records prove you have the disability now.
Establish service connection. Show the link between your military service and your disability: service treatment records, buddy statements, or a nexus letter from a doctor explaining the connection.
Fully developed claims process faster. Submit all evidence upfront instead of waiting for the VA to request records. The VA still schedules your Compensation and Pension exam, but you’ll have already provided everything else.
Work with a Veterans Service Organization if you need help. Disabled American Veterans, VFW, American Legion and others employ accredited representatives who help file claims for free. They know what evidence the VA wants and how to present it.
File Now
The VA is processing claims faster than ever. The backlog is the lowest it’s been in years. Your 2024 medical records are ready to request. Tax season hasn’t created chaos yet.
File in January. Or at minimum, submit your Intent to File to secure your effective date.
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21 Comments
I’m curious about how the new technology and automated decision support implemented by the VA will continue to improve processing times, especially during peak seasons like spring and summer.
The fact that the VA processed over 2 million disability claims in 2025, with an average processing time of 132 days, is a significant improvement from the start of the year, and it’s great to see the backlog falling below 200,000 claims for the first time since spring 2023.
The idea that submitting an Intent to File in January 2026 can lock in your effective date and give you until January 2027 to submit your complete claim is a game-changer for veterans who need more time to gather documentation.
This is especially helpful for those who need to gather medical records from private doctors, as requesting 2025 records can get you everything in one file.
I’m curious to see how the VA will continue to improve the claims process, especially with the implementation of new technology and staffing, and how it will affect the processing times and backlog.
The drop in backlog is a significant achievement, and it’s essential to continue monitoring the backlog to ensure that it remains under control, especially during peak seasons like spring and summer.
I’m concerned that the January surge in claims might still cause delays, despite the VA’s efforts to improve processing times, and it’s essential to stay on top of your claim’s status.
It’s interesting to note that the VA claims show seasonal patterns, with the backlog peaking in late spring and summer, and dropping in fall and winter, which makes January a strategic time to file a claim.
The fact that medical records for 2025 are complete and can be submitted at once is a huge advantage for veterans filing in January, as it eliminates the need to piece together visits from multiple years.
It’s crucial to remember that Compensation and Pension exams require travel, and documenting mileage for tax deductions can also be used as evidence for VA claims, making it essential to keep accurate records.
It’s good to know that the VA needs evidence of current disability, and that recent medical records carry more weight than old ones, which makes it essential to submit records from the past 12 months.
This is particularly important for veterans filing for individual unemployability status, who need to show how their condition affects them now, not how it affected them years ago.
The drop in backlog from over 400,000 claims to 260,000 claims as of December 2024 is a significant achievement, and filing in January can help veterans take advantage of the smaller backlog before the spring rush.
The fact that the VA processed over 2 million claims in 2025 is a testament to the hard work of the staff, and it’s essential to recognize their efforts in improving the claims process.
I’m skeptical about the VA’s ability to maintain the current processing time of 132 days, especially if the claim volume spikes in the spring, but it’s promising to see the hiring of more staff and improvements in technology.
The connection between medical records and tax documentation is a clever one, and it’s essential to take advantage of this opportunity to gather records and submit them to the VA.
The VA’s hiring of more staff and improvement in technology is a step in the right direction, but it’s essential to continue monitoring the processing times and backlog to ensure that the system remains efficient.
It’s interesting to note that the backlog fell below 200,000 claims for the first time since spring 2023, and it will be essential to continue monitoring the backlog to ensure that it remains under control.
I’m excited to see how the new technology and staffing will improve the processing times for VA claims, especially for those who have been waiting for months or even years for a decision.
The connection between tax season and documentation season is clever, as gathering records for tax purposes can also be used for VA claims, streamlining the process for veterans.
It’s essential to remember that the VA claims process can be complex, and it’s crucial to seek help from a veterans service organization or a qualified attorney to ensure that your claim is processed efficiently.