I often hear complaints about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It may be a recent experience or something from many years ago. The severity of the incidents also varies. Perhaps someone had to wait on hold when contacting a VA health facility, or a Veteran is displeased with the outcome of their disability compensation claim.
Regardless of the experience, there is likely a valid reason. I am not making excuses for the VA but I will shed some light on the second largest federal agency by number of employees and sixth largest by budget. I also encourage everyone to report their experiences, good or bad, to the VA. They need your feedback to make the right improvements.
As of March 15, 2025, there are 922,727 total pending compensation claims, including 368,735 PACT Act-related and 553,992 non-PACT-related. The average time to complete a claim is 166.9 days for PACT Act-related claims and 128.7 days for non-PACT-related claims. 37.2% of PACT Act claims are completed in 125 days or less.
Over 2.14 million PACT Act-related claims have been completed, with 1.59 million approved—an approval rate of 74.3%. The three common claim denial reasons are 1) no medical diagnosis, 2) not caused or incurred during service, and 3) not established by presumption. Over 1.35 million Veterans and survivors have received approved PACT-related benefits, including 14,074 survivors.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is doing more than ever before. Since August 2022, it has processed a combined nearly 6 million claims—2.14 million PACT-related and 3.82 million non-PACT-related.
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) serves over 9 million enrolled Veterans across more than 1,300 facilities nationwide. Veterans with a 10% or higher service-connected disability are eligible for free outpatient care (no co-pay for office visits). Veterans without a rating generally pay $15 for primary care, a modest cost for comprehensive, quality care.
Under the PACT Act, VHA has performed 6.14 million toxic exposure screenings, identified over 2.83 million Veterans who reported at least one exposure, welcomed 436,986 new enrollees, and raised its 90-day health care trust score to 92.2%
The PACT Act represents the largest expansion of VA health care and benefits in history. Since August 2022, VA has provided billions in benefits and health care services to Veterans and their survivors. This isn’t just a law, it’s a second chance for many Veterans who didn’t know they were eligible, or who gave up after a disappointing experience.
If you’ve had a bad encounter with the VA in the past, I understand your hesitation. But the system is improving—transparently, rapidly, and in meaningful ways. You have the power to help shape it by simply applying and using the benefits you’ve earned.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
