VA Back Pay Calculator (2026)

Your claim

Back pay runs from the first day of the month after your effective date, up to your decision date.

Effective date (or Intent-to-File date)

Decision / grant date

Rating granted

Dependent parents

Married (spouse)

Children under 18

Children 18–23 in school

$0.00

estimated retroactive back pay

Months of back pay—
Monthly rate (@ rating + dependents)—
Pay starts—

Missed an earlier effective date? 38 CFR 3.156(c) can push it back years — more back pay.

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Estimate only. Uses current 2026 monthly rates across the whole period — it does not model prior-year COLA changes or mid-period rating changes, so a multi-year estimate is approximate. VA pays back pay from the first of the month after your effective date. Your effective date can sometimes be moved earlier (Intent to File, 38 CFR 3.156(c), CUE). Confirm everything at VA.gov. US Vet Help is not affiliated with the VA and does not file claims.