An Effective Date is the starting point the VA uses to determine when a veteran’s benefits should begin. It’s one of the most important factors in a VA claim because it directly affects how much back 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 go back to your date of 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 intent

• 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 that result in 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’s crucial for veterans to understand the 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 back 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 thousands in benefits. That’s 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 attorney’s and representatives here at Greene & Marusak that can help you out with this.

Give us a call at (844) 483-8737