From The Washington Times:

Veterans filing disability claims with the Veterans Affairs Department wait for an average of almost six months for a response -- about six times longer than is typical in the private sector.

Pending disability claims with the VA take an average of 177 days to process, according to VA records. For some, the wait time is almost a year.

And for veterans appealing a decision on a claim, the average wait time is 657 days.

For people filing disability claims with insurance companies, about 75 percent to 80 percent of claims are handled within 30 days, said America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade organization. Federal law requires disability claims with private insurers to be settled within 45 days, although extensions of 30 days or longer are possible.

"The backlog issue is not going to go away until the federal government rolls up its sleeves and takes a serious look at expediting the resolution of claims," said Luz Rebollar, a national service officer with AMVETS who guides veterans through the VA claims process.

The biggest factor in the growing backlog is the increased number of veterans using the system. The VA processed almost 775,000 claims last year, pushing the backlog total to about 600,000.

With the VA expecting 800,000 claims this year, in part because of the thousands of troops returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan, the problem is poised to get worse before it gets better, said Dan Bertoni, the Government Accountability Office's acting director of education, work force and income security issues.

"We had a claims system that didn't work well in peacetime, and it's certainly showing strain now," Mr. Bertoni said.

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You ain't seen nothin' yet! Oklahoma is on the verge of having the largest number of combat veterans residing here since WWII. The mental health system has formed an inter-agency workgroup to address the need, but the system is just not prepared. Scary stuff.

I'd have killed to have it only be 177 days.

Mine was WAY more than a year with no appeals involved.

VA disability benefits are just like any other government program. You have people apply for them that are just looking for a free handout. These freeloaders stand in the way of those who truly need the benefits.

You would think they would give head of the line privelages to those who need it most. For example those who lost a body part or lost mobility should be sped through the process. Most of which are those out there who truly cannot make a living because of their disabilty.

I am a veteran myself; however. I left the military both physically and mentally healthy. Fortunately, I did not need disability program. The benefits I have used are GI Bill.

One thing I didn't see them mention is that if you file BEFORE you get out...Evidently, it only takes about a month. I filed months after I'd been discharged, so I don't know this to be fact though.

No real difference. I filed prior to retirement and it still takes about six months.

With disabled soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, this is unacceptable. Yes, there are going to be some freeloaders. This war has produced its share (think Halliburton), but assistance should be speedier for those disabled while serving the country. Shameful is the word that comes to mind.

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Shameful, indeed.