The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced plans to hire more than 2,000 additional employees during fiscal year 2027 to help process the growing number of disability and pension claims filed by veterans.

The announcement comes after the VA processed a record 3.1 million compensation and pension claims during fiscal year 2026. The department also received more than 3.15 million new claims, an increase of approximately 80 percent compared with 2022.

According to the VA, more than 13,000 employees currently work in claims processing. The additional workers will help review disability claims, evaluate supporting evidence and apply federal laws and regulations to determine eligibility for benefits.

The department reported that 60.1 percent of claims filed during fiscal year 2026 were granted, while claims-processing accuracy reached 93.88 percent, the highest level in three years.

VA Secretary Doug Collins said the additional employees will help the department continue improving the speed and accuracy of benefits decisions.

The increase in claims comes as the VA expands efforts to reach veterans who may qualify for benefits but have not enrolled. More than 300,000 veterans have enrolled in VA healthcare so far during calendar year 2026.

Veterans and other qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for the new positions. The VA is also recruiting military personnel preparing to leave active duty through its Warrior Training Advancement Course, which provides training that can lead to employment at one of the department’s 56 regional benefits offices.

Those interested in employment opportunities can visit VA Careers at vacareers.va.gov. Veterans seeking information about disability compensation, pensions or other benefits can visit VA.gov.