You may have heard that if your VA claim is approved, you’ll get a lump sum in retroactive backpay.
That’s true — but not always straightforward.
Here’s how retro really works.
🕒 How Backpay Is Calculated
Backpay starts from your “effective date” — usually:
- The day you filed your claim
- Or the day the condition was reopened or appealed
The VA then totals what you would’ve been paid each month from that date until approval.
💰 Example:
- Filed: Jan 2023
- Approved: May 2024
- Rating: 70%
- You’d receive 16 months of tax-free checks in a single deposit
⚠️ Things That Affect It
- Denials + appeals reset your timeline
- Incorrect claim dates = missed months
- Some backpay includes cost-of-living adjustments
✅ Know What to Expect
Before counting on backpay, make sure:
- Your claim was filed properly
- You know your effective date
- You’ve verified the rating matches the timeline