WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that the massive backlog of claims has been "reduced to a manageable level," according to an official statement.

"We typically see a huge workload with education benefits needs around October and February to coincide with the school year," said spokesman Ian Johnson. "But a combination of technology and hard working claims processors have reduced the backlog and substantially sped up the process."

The 27,000 employees recently hired by the VA to stand around the office water cooler "has been a big help," according to Johnson, but it hasn't been the only factor.