United StatesPublic sector2025 – ongoing

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Automated Decision Support for disability claims

VA says claims now take 81 days instead of 141 as it expands its decision-support tool; Democrats question errors

In progressCompany's own claim

Problem

VA has had a long backlog of veterans' benefit claims, and early steps such as gathering evidence take time.

Approach

Automated Decision Support, a machine learning tool, checks claim elements, such as whether service dates meet presumptive criteria, and shows which are satisfied. VA says it does not decide or deny claims and that human decision makers review results. It updates the tool every six to eight weeks and plans to add conditions and claim types.

Results

141 to 81 daysAverage claim processing time since January 2025, as stated by a VA official (not attributed to the tool alone)Company's own claim[1]

94%Issue-level accuracy as of end of March 2026, per VA; a lawmaker cited 83.31% on a claims basisCompany's own claim[1]

Takeaway

The 141-to-81-day drop was cited by a VA official at an April 2026 House hearing as processing time since January 2025. It is not isolated to this tool, and lawmakers disputed what the accuracy measures show.

Sources

AI is helping VA speed up claims processing, but Dems worry about errors
Nextgov/FCWApr 2026News article

Source summaries

[1]Nextgov/FCWApr 2026

Nextgov/FCW reported that VA officials told an April 2026 House hearing that average claim processing time had fallen from 141 to 81 days since January 2025. Officials credited AI-assisted claims work, while Democratic lawmakers questioned error rates. The department also requested funding for AI.

Full details are in the original sources.

Added 25 Oct 2026 · Updated 25 Oct 2026