Houston Chronicle

World War II veteran William Maxson, 94, sits next to a stack of photocopied Veteran Affairs claim forms submitted over the years on Friday, July 6, 2012, in Houston. Maxson has waited seven years for the Department of Veterans Affairs to make a final decision about his benefits has once again found himself in VA's record claims backlog. VA officials declined to add his nursing home in Tomball to a list of approved facilities. He moved in with his son and asked VA to increase his monthly compensation for "aid and attendance," a pension available to wartime veterans who have in-home care. VA told Maxson his case would be expedited because of his advanced age, but almost a year passed and he is still waiting. He and his family worry that he will die before VA acts on his claim. Maxson's situation highlights the plight of elderly veterans, who are running out of time for VA to process their claims. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) (Photo by Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)