VA Disability Glossary – Key Terms Every Veteran Should Know

Effective Date

  • An Effective Date is the starting point the VA uses to determine when a veteran’s benefits should begin. It is one of the most important factors in a VA claim because it directly affects the amount of retroactive pay a veteran may receive once their claim is approved.

    The effective date for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by military service is whichever of these comes later:

    • The date the VA receives your claim, or

    • The date you first got your illness or injury (also known as the date your entitlement arose).

    • If you file a claim within one year of separation from service, your effective date may be the day after discharge.

    • If you submit an Intent to File, your effective date can be protected as long as the full claim is filed within 1 year of the form submission.

    • If a claim is reopened with new and relevant evidence (like a supplemental claim), the effective date is typically the date the new claim is received—not the original denial date.

    • Appeals for increased ratings or service connection may preserve the original effective date if the appeal is continuous and timely.

    • The VA considers various factors when determining the effective date, including the nature of the claim, the date the condition arose, and the date the claim was filed.

    • It is crucial for veterans to understand that the effective date can be different than the date they filed the claim, and it may be possible to argue for an earlier effective date.

    • The VA’s decision on the effective date can significantly impact the amount of retroactive pay a veteran receives.

  • The effective date determines how far back the VA will pay you. For example, if your effective date is June 1, 2023, and your claim is approved on June 1, 2025, you may receive two years of back pay. But if a mistake or delay changes the effective date, you could lose a part of your benefits. That is why filing correctly—and on time—is so important.

    A VA-accredited representative can help ensure your effective date is protected and, if necessary, fight to restore an earlier one through appeals. We have attorneys and representatives here at Greene & Marusak who can help you out with this.

    Give us a call at (844) 483-8737

    Check out our YouTube video where our firm’s partners discuss the importance of effective dates: Effective Dates for VA Benefits and their Significance to Disabled Veterans