ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 2, 2025 — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) currently reports a disability claims backlog of more than 190,000 unresolved cases across the country. While this marks progress compared to historic highs, veterans are still facing average wait times of 12 to 18 months — and in many cases, delays stretching two years or morebefore receiving a decision.

In recent years, the backlog has swelled dramatically, topping 300,000 cases and even approaching 400,000 at its peak, driven in part by the implementation of the PACT Act and a surge of new claims related to toxic exposure. For veterans with urgent health needs, these numbers translate into months — and often years — of uncertainty, lost income, and untreated conditions.

Shield of Odin, a veteran-focused healthcare and medical-legal services provider, is working to close that gap by offering veterans an alternative pathway to strengthen their claims and avoid repeated cycles of denials and appeals. Through its nationwide network of licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and vocational experts, the organization provides independent medical evaluations, Nexus Letters, Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), vocational assessments, and peer-reviewed evidence tailored to VA rating criteria.

The goal: ensure veterans can submit fully developed claims that stand on solid medical-legal evidence, reducing the risk of denial and expediting access to benefits.

“The VA’s official backlog today is just under 200,000 claims — but anyone watching this system knows how quickly those numbers can rise, and how devastating the wait can be,” said Ryan Hawley, CEO of Shield of Odin. “For a veteran with lung disease from burn pit exposure or PTSD from combat service, being forced to wait 18 months or longer is not simply a delay; it’s a barrier to care, stability, and dignity. Our mission at Shield of Odin is to ensure those veterans are not left behind.”

Shield of Odin emphasizes that the backlog is not merely a matter of statistics but of lived human impact. Veterans awaiting benefits often face mounting medical costs, difficulty maintaining employment, and mental health struggles as they navigate a system strained by volume and complexity.

“The averages don’t tell the full story — behind every number is a veteran and a family in crisis,”said Dean Johnston, COO of Shield of Odin and a board member of Heros of the Sea. “We see veterans waiting 24 months or more for a claim to move forward. Some pass away before ever receiving a decision. That’s why we’ve built a system to provide timely, accurate evidence that can cut through the bureaucracy and accelerate the process.”

VA Backlog by the Numbers (2025)

Current backlog (May 2025): 190,000+ unresolved claims (VA official reporting)

Peak backlog in recent years: Over 300,000 cases, with spikes near 400,000

Average wait time: 12–18 months for resolution

Extended delays: 24+ months common in complex or toxic exposure cases

First-time claim denials: Nearly 70% linked to insufficient or incomplete medical evidence

Rural veterans: Face 30–40% longer waits due to limited examiner availability

(Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA News, Military Times, Federal News Network, advocacy group analyses)

Shield of Odin’s Role in Solutions

Shield of Odin has developed a nationwide telehealth platform that connects veterans with qualified practitioners across all 50 states, ensuring even those in rural or underserved areas can access timely support. Services include:

Telehealth Nexus Letters and DBQs to establish medical connections between service and condition

Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) for complex or contested cases

Vocational impact assessments linking disabilities to occupational limitations

Peer-reviewed, evidence-based opinions aligned with VA rating criteria and legal precedent

By providing medical-legal documentation that is both rigorous and veteran-centric, Shield of Odin helps veterans avoid common pitfalls that result in denials, repeat appeals, and further time lost in the system.