BALTIMORE — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims to be making significant progress in expediting disability claims, decreasing backlogs, and enhancing health care access across the nation. However, conversations with veterans in Baltimore and concerns expressed by Maryland lawmakers indicate that the situation may be more nuanced than it appears.
WATCH: VA chief highlights accelerated claims and expanded care; Baltimore veterans share mixed outcomes
VA chief highlights accelerated claims and expanded care; Baltimore veterans share mixed outcomes
This week, VA Secretary Doug Collins visited the Baltimore VA Medical Center, emphasizing what the department deems remarkable improvements since the start of the Trump administration. The VA reports that the benefits backlog has decreased by 57 percent since January 2025, disability claims processing hit a record of three million claims in the last fiscal year, and access to health care has broadened through the establishment of new clinics and extended operating hours.
“The issue isn’t necessarily the number of staff we have,” Collins stated during his visit. “It’s about how effectively we are utilizing those resources.”
This visit follows a wave of job cuts and unfilled positions within the VA by the end of the fiscal year 2025, raising concerns among veteran advocates, labor groups, and lawmakers about the potential impact on access to care.
For some veterans, these concerns are deeply personal.
Alan Stokes, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 15 months, shared that he is still awaiting a benefits claim he submitted decades ago.
“I’ve had a claim pending since 1975,” Stokes remarked. “And nothing has ever happened.”
Stokes expressed that while he has not faced issues scheduling medical appointments, including a recent hospital visit, his long-standing battle for benefits remains unresolved.
“I’m just sitting here waiting,” he said. “My claim is stagnant. It’s just sitting there.”
Conversely, another veteran from Baltimore described a markedly different experience.
Tico Montez, who served in the Army for nine years, including deployments in Germany and Bosnia, noted that the claims processing and associated wait times have improved considerably in recent years.
“The claims process has accelerated significantly,” Montez mentioned. “In the past, it could take up to a year. Now, it’s much quicker.”
He also acknowledged enhancements in care access, particularly through the VA’s community care program, which allows veterans to seek treatment from non-VA providers when appointments are not readily available. Nevertheless, he pointed out that navigating the system can still be challenging.
“There are times when you get shuffled around,” Montez explained, recounting moments when veterans are bounced between offices before receiving answers.
Maryland’s senior U.S. senator notes that these frustrations are prevalent.
In a statement to WMAR 2 News, Chris Van Hollen reported that his office frequently hears from frustrated veterans struggling to obtain assistance.
“Daily, my office receives calls from Maryland veterans who are understandably upset — their inquiries to the VA are going unanswered, and lengthy delays in their cases are ongoing,” Van Hollen stated.
“It’s challenging to trust this Administration’s data when we’ve seen inconsistent reporting, and when my office continues to handle the same number of calls and cases from veterans seeking help.”
Van Hollen voiced worry regarding staffing levels at the VA, especially following workforce reductions linked to recent changes.
“With the VA down thousands of employees… and reports indicating that the administration plans to cut tens of thousands more, I remain highly concerned that the VA will be even less equipped to cater to our veterans’ needs,” he stated.
“We should be allocating more resources, not fewer, to support and care for those who chose to defend our country.”
The senator’s remarks followed a prior Office of Inspector General report that uncovered instances of Maryland veterans waiting over 45 days for community care appointments. This report led to changes that the VA asserts have aided in decreasing wait times.
VA representatives emphasize that delays in community care are not always due to their oversight, noting that private health care providers also influence appointment availability.
The VA also cites advancements such as expanded clinic accessibility, over 1.4 million appointments made outside of standard operating hours, and nearly 52,000 homeless veterans permanently housed in fiscal year 2025 as evidence of progress.
Yet, as the experiences of veterans illustrate, improvements documented on paper may not always translate into consistent outcomes for every individual.
