Claim Review Times. What happened between 2022 and Now?

The significant increase in VA claim processing times from 2022 to the present is primarily due to the confluence of the PACT Act implementation and a subsequent return to mandatory in-person Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams. The PACT Act, enacted in August 2022, created an unprecedented surge of new claims and intent-to-file submissions, overwhelming the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and creating a substantial backlog, as processing resources were diverted to handle these complex, often multi-condition claims. Compounding this, the VA rescinded pandemic-era flexibilities that allowed for widespread use of private contract examiners and virtual exams; a return to the pre-pandemic model relying on VA medical centers and fewer contractors (governed by 38 CFR 3.326 for examinations) has created severe bottlenecks in scheduling the necessary C&P exams, which are a statutory requirement under 38 U.S.C. § 5103A(d) for most claims. Your actionable next steps are to: 1) Verify via VA.gov or your VSO that all required C&P exams have been scheduled and attended, as this is often the primary delay; 2) Consider submitting a fully developed claim (FDC) with all private medical evidence and a completed DBQ to potentially expedite future claims; and 3) If a delay exceeds the VA’s average processing time for your claim type, you or your accredited representative can initiate a Congressional inquiry, which can prompt a status review. **Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes regarding VA processes and is not intended as legal, medical, or official claims advice.**