RT Journal
A1 Mitka M
T1 VEterans’ benefits
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2013
FD January 9
VO 309
IS 2
SP 126
OP 126
DO 10.1001/jama.2012.190487
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.190487
AB 
In his opening remarks, ranking member Rep Jerry McNerney (D, Calif) said that although the VA has added more than 11 000 employees to process claims for disability benefits and Congress has funded these requests, a backlog of more than 1.3 million claims remains on the books. He said administering benefits varied greatly depending on the regional offices handling the claims. For example, he noted, the average number of days pending for most claims is 255 days, but the wait in Oakland, Calif, is almost 426 days.