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Free tool · 38 CFR § 3.400

Effective Date Calculator

The day your claim starts paying. Your effective date decides how far back VA pays — enter your dates and this calculator runs § 3.400 in order, names the rule that governs, and estimates the retroactive award. Deterministic date math, no AI in this calculation.

Rules checked
§ 3.400 · § 3.155
Rate table
Effective Dec 1, 2025

Your dates

0 of 4 provided

Defaults to today. Change it to test a filing date.

An intent to file holds an earlier date if the complete claim arrives within one year of it.

Filing within a year of discharge can reach back to it.

When the condition began — not when it was diagnosed, if symptoms started earlier.

Recalculates as you type. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Your effective date

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Estimated retroactive pay

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Months accrued
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Monthly rate at 30%
$552.47
First payable month
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VA pays from the first day of the month following your effective date (38 CFR § 3.31). An estimate at 2026 rates for a veteran with no dependents — your actual award depends on the rating VA assigns and who depends on you.

Build my evidence for this date

Rule index

Checked against your dates

  • 38 CFR § 3.155

    Intent to File (ITF)

    VA uses the Intent to File date as your effective date when your complete claim arrives within one year of it.

    No intent-to-file date entered. If you have ever submitted one — even months ago — add it here: an intent to file can hold a date up to a year earlier, as long as the complete claim arrives within one year of it.

  • 38 CFR § 3.400(b)(2)(i)

    Filed Within One Year of Separation

    Claims filed within one year of separation from service may receive an effective date of the day after discharge.

    No separation date entered. Add it if you left service within the last year; reaching back to the day after discharge is the most valuable effective-date window there is.

  • 38 CFR § 3.400(b)(2)

    Original Claim

    For original claims, the effective date is generally the date the claim was received or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

  • 38 CFR § 3.400(o)(2)

    Claim for Increase

    For increased ratings, the effective date is usually the date the claim was received, or up to one year prior if evidence shows the increase happened within that period.

  • 38 CFR § 3.2500

    Supplemental Claim

    For supplemental claims with new and relevant evidence, filing within one year of the prior decision generally preserves the effective date of the original claim.

  • 38 CFR § 3.114

    Liberalizing Law or VA Issue

    When a new law or VA regulation creates a new basis for entitlement, the effective date may be the date the law took effect.

  • 38 CFR § 3.156(c)

    New Service Department Records

    If VA later receives official service records that existed but were not in the file when your claim was first decided, it reconsiders the claim — and the effective date can reach back to that earlier claim.

Estimates only. Legatus is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and does not provide legal or medical advice. Effective dates turn on facts VA determines from your complete record, and back pay here excludes dependents, Special Monthly Compensation and any offsets. For case-specific guidance, consult an accredited VSO or VA-accredited attorney.