The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it has granted benefits to 1.1 million Veterans and their survivors so far in fiscal year 2024, setting a new all-time record. This achievement comes as the VA has distributed more than $137 billion in benefits, including $127 billion in compensation and pension benefits.
To reach this milestone, the VA processed over 2 million claims in 2024, surpassing last year’s record by more than 27%. With a grant rate of 64.6%, the average overall disability rating awarded to Veterans this year stands at 70%, translating to more than $20,000 per year in disability compensation for those affected.
Supporting Veterans has been a key focus of President Biden’s Unity Agenda, underscoring the commitment to ensure Veterans receive the benefits they have earned. The passage of the PACT Act in August 2022 has played a significant role in this success, marking the largest expansion of Veteran care and benefits in generations. So far in FY2024, 655,808 of the claims granted have been related to the PACT Act.
“Our priority is to make sure every Veteran and survivor receives the benefits they’ve earned through their service,” said VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs. “These benefits are essential for those living with conditions that stem from their service or for the families of those who lost their lives.”
The VA has also made strides in various areas:
- Increased Healthcare Access: The VA is on track to deliver approximately 127 million health care appointments in 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 120 million. This increase is due in part to expanded access to care, including more night and weekend clinics.
- Rising Enrollment in VA Health Care: Over the past year, 412,867 Veterans have enrolled in VA care, a 27% increase from the previous year and the highest since 2017. Since the PACT Act was enacted, more than 710,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA health care, representing a 34% increase compared to previous years.
- Record-High Claims Applications: In 2023, Veterans submitted a record 2,433,729 claims applications, a 39% increase from 2022. This year, Veterans are on pace to surpass even that record.
- Increased Trust in VA: Veteran trust in the VA has reached an all-time high of 80.4%, up from 55% when the survey began in 2016. This trust is based on a survey of Veterans who use various VA services, including health care, disability compensation, memorial affairs, the GI Bill, and home loans.
The VA’s approach to working closely with Veterans to gather necessary evidence has resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of claims granted, including 75% of PACT Act-related claims. Looking ahead, the VA will continue its efforts to reach out to Veterans, encouraging them to take advantage of the world-class health care and benefits available to them.
