VA Claims Insider Reports New Findings on Veteran’s Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities

Data Research Shows Challenges with Claims Backlog, Homelessness, and Future Services

VA Claims Insider, LLC (VACI), a leading education-based coaching/consulting company for veterans, today revealed new findings on veteran-specific data as it relates to total number, demographics, the number that face healthcare and homelessness challenges and more. The company, known for its exemplary support for disabled veterans who are exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits, has shed light on the trends that will impact the future of veterans benefits and services.

One of the most startling findings is that veterans comprise 10.6% of all homeless in the US, which can be attributed in part to the challenges of transitioning from military service to civilian life and addictions by medications (prescribed or self-medicating) for post-traumatic stress or dealing with pain of injuries incurred while serving.

Another concerning insight is the level of backlog for pending claims. As of August 2023, there are 944,142 pending VA claims (submitted, but not decided), which is the highest number since 2012. The backlog of disability claims for the VA approaches its highest peak in almost a decade (272,525 backlogged VA claims, which is now at its highest point since June 2014). At a time when the need for benefits and services is rising the resources to support veterans are more difficult to attain.

“While the majority of the roughly 200,000 service men and women transitioning from active duty to civilian life each year are changing over to their next stage of life smoothly, the data shows that the system to support them and provide the benefits they have earned is falling behind,” said Brian Reese, Founder and CEO of VA Claims Insider. “With close to 30% of all veterans having some form of service-related disability, and 5% living in poverty, we need to ensure that they receive the resources and support they have earned through their sacrifice.”

Key findings of the research include:

• ~200,000 service members transition from active duty to civilian life each year
• Total number of veterans in 2023: 18,592,457
• Estimated total number of veterans in 2050: 11,858,410
• Average estimated decrease in the total veteran population year over year: -1.65%
• Total number of veterans with VA service-connected disabilities: 5,417,012
• Total number of homeless veterans: 67,495
• Veterans comprise 10.6% of all homeless in the U.S.
• Veterans are more than 2x as likely to become homeless than those who didn’t serve in the military
• In 2023, more than 1,000,000 veterans live in poverty (defined as living at or below the DOL and HHS poverty line)
• The current veteran unemployment rate is 2.8%
• Texas has the #1 largest veteran population, followed by California at #2 and Florida at #3

The military’s recruiting challenges and changes in the makeup of armed forces is also having an impact as the data shows an estimated decrease in the total veteran population from 2023 to 2050 of slightly more than 35 percent.

Reese added, “as the cost of healthcare and other benefits rise and the individual need grows, even with the projected decline in the number of veterans, our elected officials and the Veteran’s Administration will need to work with the veteran community and the organizations that serve them to develop new and innovative ways to better serve and honor our commitment to our service men and women. There are solutions, but only if we work together and build and strengthen the veteran community and the services that support them.”

VACI developed the report reviewing and aggregating data from multiple sources. More information can be found on their website at: https://vaclaimsinsider.com/how-many-veterans-are-there/

To read more about navigating the backlog visit: https://vaclaimsinsider.com/why-is-my-va-claim-taking-so-long/

ABOUT VA Claims Insider

VA Claims Insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230822591266/en/