Head of Veterans Affairs Aims to Reduce Backlog in Claims

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The head of the Department of Veterans Affairs says efforts are being made at the agency to reduce the big backlog of pension and disability claims. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki outlined the plan Wednesday during a visit to Boise.

He says a new electronic filing system has already sped up the process for thousands of claims. For example, The Idaho Statesman reports that the number of files processed at 56 regional VA offices nationwide increased from 80,000 in February and March to 94,000 in the months of April and May.

The VA reported on Monday that it had more than 833,000 claims, with two thirds of those pending for more than 125 days. Shinseki says cutting the processing time is one of his top priorities.