H.R. 3571 — Veterans Administration Backlog Accountability Act of 2025

This section directs the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after enactment, a report on the backlog of disability compensation claims (i.e., claims for service-connected disability benefits under 38 U.S.C. ch. 11) pending before the Veterans Benefits Administration or Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The report must include (1) a description of the backlog status; (2) an assessment of the Secretary’s efforts to address the backlog, including staff recruitment using authorities or funds under the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-168); (3) an assessment of the effect of any staffing reductions at the department since January 20, 2025; (4) an assessment of the backlog’s effect on average adjudication wait times; (5) an assessment of preparations for a predicted 50% increase in claims from the PACT Act; (6) an overview of contributions from new technologies such as automated decision support; and (7) recommendations to further reduce the backlog.