When the VA finally approves a disability claim, the first question many veterans ask is, “When do my payments start?” This is called the effective date of benefits, and it makes a huge difference because it determines how much back pay a veteran may receive.
The general rule is that the effective date is the later of two things: the date the VA received your claim, or the date your entitlement arose (for example, the date a disability began or worsened). That means if you filed a claim in 2019 but weren’t approved until 2023, you may receive years of back pay starting from 2019. However, there are many exceptions. If you appealed a denial and won, your effective date could go back to the original claim. If you file within one year of leaving active duty, the effective date is usually the day after separation.
This is one of the most common areas where veterans feel shortchanged. The VA often assigns the wrong date, which can cost a veteran thousands of dollars. That’s why it’s so important to appeal if you believe your effective date is incorrect. Our firm reviews decision letters carefully, compares them to service and medical records, and makes sure veterans are paid every dollar they’re entitled to from the earliest date possible.
Next Step: If you believe your effective date is wrong, don’t wait—it could mean thousands in back pay. Contact us for a decision review to ensure you’re getting every dollar owed.
