Doug Collins (politician)

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has set a new processing record, handling more than 3 million disability benefit claims in 2026 as of September 18, already surpassing the prior record of 3.001 million set in fiscal year 2025. VA Secretary Doug Collins credited the improvement to efforts to make benefits delivery faster and more efficient under the Trump administration.

The VA says it has cut its claims backlog by more than 70% and reduced average processing time to about 75.6 days, nearly half of previous timelines, while raising claim accuracy to 94%, the highest in two years. The agency also reported that more than 1.4 million veterans who enrolled in VA health care this year have had or scheduled appointments, including mental health and emergency visits, and that 41 new clinics have opened since January 2025. A recent executive order directing faster record-sharing between the Defense Department and VA is expected to further shorten claims processing for recently separated service members. Applicants still face a demanding evidentiary burden to prove service-connected conditions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has sharply reduced disability claims backlogs and processing times under the Trump administration, though veterans groups and analysts caution that speed shouldn't come at the expense of accuracy.

According to VA data, the agency processed more than 3 million disability claims in fiscal year 2026, a new record, while awarding over $207 billion in compensation and pension benefits. Average decision time fell from roughly 141.5 days in January 2025 to 75.6 days in September 2026, with the pending claims backlog down more than 70 percent and accuracy near 94 percent, the highest in two years.

VA Secretary Doug Collins credited the improvements to modernization efforts, and officials note the department also enrolled over 270,000 new veterans in health care and opened 41 new facilities since January 2025. Veterans advocates acknowledge the gains but warn that staffing shortages, coordination problems, and the risk of undervalued disability ratings remain concerns as the administration pushes efficiency as a top priority.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a record $1.17 billion in grants to 680 organizations nationwide to prevent and reduce veteran homelessness. The funding, to be distributed in Fiscal Year 2027, follows the VA's announcement that it housed 51,936 homeless veterans in FY25 — a seven-year high and 4,011 more than the prior year.

Of the total, $855 million goes to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program for one-year grants starting October 1, funding case management to prevent homelessness and rapidly rehouse veterans and families. The remaining roughly $318 million supports the Grant and Per Diem program, offering three-year grants for transitional housing, transition-in-place services, and specialized housing for women veterans and those who are elderly, frail, chronically ill, or caring for dependents. VA Secretary Doug Collins credited the effort with expanding long-term stability services. States including New Jersey and Indiana have also reported recent progress reducing veteran homelessness through separate initiatives.

VA announces record $1.17 billion in grants to 680 groups to fight veteran homelessness after a seven-year high in housing placements.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson held a roundtable at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown on Aug. 18, discussing funding for VA construction projects, veterans' mental health services, and duplicative administrative requirements. The stop followed the pair's appearance at the Veterans Day Parade at the Iowa State Fair a day earlier, part of a multi-day Collins visit to Iowa.

Local officials, including Iowa Veterans Home commandant Todd Jacobus, pressed Collins to fully fund the VA's construction program, citing pending projects such as a kitchen renovation. Collins said funding levels depend on congressional appropriations. Hinson, a House Appropriations Committee member, touted a bipartisan military construction and veterans affairs budget passed by the House in May that includes increased construction funding. Both officials said they were pleased with recent funding levels under the Trump administration and emphasized continued cooperation between Congress and the VA on modernization efforts, including electronic health records, and on veterans' care priorities.