Written by Spring 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Samantha Hargis.

Background

The VA appeals process allows veterans to challenge decisions about their disability benefits. Historically, the system was slow and complex, often taking years to resolve appeals. In 2019, the Appeals Modernization Act (“AMA”) introduced a streamlined process with three lanes: supplemental claims, higher-level reviews, and direct appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (“BVA”), which offers multiple review options, including hearings.[i] Despite improvements, the system faces mounting pressure due to increased caseloads from laws like the PACT Act.[ii] Recent mass firings at the VA in 2025 threaten to exacerbate delays, particularly in hearing-based appeals, as fewer staff remain to handle growing backlogs.

Impact of VA Firings on Appeals Processing

In 2025, the Trump Administration took office and implemented staff reductions across multiple federal agencies.[iii] This includes the VA, top-level officials at the agency were told that there is an objective to cut enough employees to return to 2019 staffing levels of just under 400,000.[iv] This means that more than 80,000 workers would be cut from the agency, after the VA’s expansion under the Biden administration.[v] These reductions have raised concerns about the VA’s capacity to manage its workload effectively.

The BVA, responsible for handling appeals, has already been grappling with substantial backlogs. As of late 2024, average decision times for Direct Docket appeals had decreased from over 640 days in March 2024 to just above 500 days by December 2024.[vi] However, appeals requiring hearings still face prolonged wait times, often exceeding two years.[vii] Not only is there a long waitlist for VA appeals, but there is also a legacy backlog that as of January 2025, there were roughly 201,730 pending appeals.[viii]

The recent layoffs threaten to reverse the improvements from the AMA. With fewer personnel to process appeals, veterans may experience longer delays in receiving decisions. Additionally, the implementation of the PACT Act has expanded the scope of appeals, further increasing the BVA’s workload.

What This Means for Veterans

The firings at the VA are having a significant impact on veterans in more ways than one. An additional issue that arises out of the firings of VA employees is that more than 25% of the VA’s workforce is comprised of veterans.[ix] Veterans awaiting appeal decisions should prepare for potential delays. With fewer staff members processing claims, the system could become overloaded, leading to delays.[x] While the VA has made progress in reducing wait times, the recent staff reductions and increased workload may hinder further progress. Veterans are encouraged to stay informed about their appeal status and consider seeking assistance from accredited representatives to navigate the process.

[i] U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affs., U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, Board of Veterans’ Appeals (last visited May 13, 2025), https://department.va.gov/board-of-veterans-appeals/.

[ii] U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affs., In Two Years of the PACT Act, VA Has Delivered Benefits and Health Care to Millions of Toxic-Exposed Veterans and Their Survivors, VA News (Aug. 9, 2024), https://news.va.gov/press-room/in-two-years-of-the-pact-act-va-has-delivered-benefits-and-health-care-to-millions-of-toxic-exposed-veterans-and-their-survivor/ .

[iii] Stephen Groves, Trump Administration Plans to Cut 80,000 Employees from Veterans Affairs, According to Internal Memo, AP News (Mar. 5, 2025), https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712.

[iv] Id.

[v] Mike Stone et al., U.S. Plans to Fire 80,000 Veterans Affairs Workers as Part of Trump Cuts, Sparking Backlash, Reuters (Mar. 5, 2025), https://www.reuters.com/world/us/department-veterans-affairs-cut-80000-jobs-part-trump-cuts-2025-03-05/.

[vi] U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affs., More Board Personnel Address Pending AMA Appeals and Wait Times, Board of Veterans’ Appeals (last visited May 13, 2025), https://department.va.gov/board-of-veterans-appeals/decision-wait-times/more-board-personnel-address-pending-ama-appeals-wait-times/.

[vii] Id.

[viii] U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affs., Claims Backlog,  u.s. dep’t of Veterans Affairs (last visited May 13, 2025), https://www.benefits.va.gov/reports/mmwr_va_claims_backlog.asp

[ix] Stephen Groves, Trump Administration Plans to Cut 80,000 Employees from Veterans Affairs, According to Internal Memo, AP News (Mar. 5, 2025), https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712.

[x] Dan Pearce, 83,000 VA Jobs at Risk: How Potential DOGE Cost-Cutting Plans Could Impact Your VA Benefits, VA Claims Insider (Mar. 6, 2025), https://vaclaimsinsider.com/83000-va-jobs-at-risk-how-potential-cost-cutting-plans-could-impact-your-va-benefits/#potential-impact-on-va-disability-claims.