VA claims backlog reduced sharply in Reno office

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Thursday the Department of Veterans Affairs has reduced the backlog of claims from more than 800 to just 49.

Those are the outstanding claims for disability benefits that have been pending for more than two years.

He said that as a result of the department’s efforts, 785 veterans within the Reno office’s jurisdiction have been provided with decisions on their claims.

Reid and he rest of Nevada’s Congressional delegation sent a letter to the VA in April saying the backlog was unacceptable and that he was willing to do anything within his power as Majority Leader to help them resolve those claims.

“Ninety-seven percent of the ‘older than two years’ claims have now been completed by the VA and they are now working to complete those older than one year which is welcome news to Nevada veterans,” Reid said.

Nationwide, he said the VA has completed a record one million claims in each of the past three fiscal years.

“But too many veterans have to wait too long to get the benefits they have earned and deserve,” he said. “VA knows that is unacceptable and is implementing a robust plan to fix the problem.”

He said a new automated system will help end the disability claims backlog, enabling all claims to be completed in 125 days with 98 percent accuracy by the end of 2015.