I have been representing Social Security Disability claimants for many years and I have seen huge improvements in the SSDI process over those years.  I remember when it could take some ALJs a year just to get a decision out after a hearing.  That did not even include the sometimes two year wait to get the hearing.  I am glad to see times have changed quite a bit since then.  I have been representing veterans in their claims for VA disability benefits since 2007 and have seen the huge delays in the VA process.  My hope is that the VA can learn some things from the Social Security Administration.  The SSA process still has work to do but Veterans disability claims now remind me of the huge delays I witnessed with the SSDI process years ago.  Part of the problem is that a typical VA disability case is more complex than a typical SSDI case.  For this reason I believe the typical VA claim will always take longer than the typical SSDI claim; however, One of the biggest factors in the improvement of the SSDI system was the conversion from paper files to electronic files.  The VA is currently working to make the conversion to electronic files.  It is a monumental task and will probably take a while before the complete conversion is finished but I believe this will help a great deal with the incredibly long wait times for veterans.