**GAO-09-910T**                      Published: Jul 29, 2009. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee asked GAO to present its preliminary findings on the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) disability claims process. This statement discusses (1) the trends in VA compensation claims and appeals, and (2) the steps VA is taking to improve disability claims processing. This testimony is based on ongoing work. GAO's findings are based largely on VA performance data and information obtained from VA documents and through interviews with VA officials. This testimony is also based on past GAO work on this subject, updated as appropriate to reflect VA's current workload and initiatives.

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## Topics

Veterans

AppealsClaimsClaims processingClaims settlementDisabilitiesDisability benefitsEvaluationMilitary benefits claimsMilitary personnelPeople with disabilitiesVeteransVeterans benefitsVeterans disability compensationWorkloads