Backlog Improves, But Vets Still Struggle for Benefits
You Should Know
October 01, 2014
One of our nation's most sacred promises to veterans is that we will take care of them if they are hurt in battle. But that promise is too often broken. As Veterans Day approaches on Nov. 11, we take a closer look at the issue of veterans' benefits.
In 2012, nearly 19,500 veterans died waiting for their VA benefits. This number was a dramatic increase from three years earlier.
Right now more than 240,000 veterans have been waiting longer than 125 days for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to review their initial requests for disability and pension benefits. Meanwhile, the wait is much longer for the additional 280,000 veterans and their families who were denied benefits and filed an appeal. So long in fact, some of them died waiting. Veterans shouldn’t risk life and limb on the battlefield only to battle bureaucratic red tape right here at home.
