If you’ve applied for VA disability benefits, you may be eligible to receive back pay and might be curious about how much you might be owed. On this page, the experienced veterans disability lawyers at Rob Levine Law explain how VA disability back pay works and discuss how to maximize the amount you receive.
If you have questions about VA disability back pay that we don’t answer here, our team is available 24/7 to provide more information.
What is Back Pay In a VA Disability Claim?
When your VA disability benefits claim is approved, the VA will send you a one-time, tax-free payment to compensate you retroactively for the time you did not receive benefits while eligible for them.
VA disability back pay is determined by the “effective date” of your claim, which is usually set on the day that the VA received your benefits application. However, if you file your claim within a year of your separation from the military, the VA may set your effective date as the day after you left active service, entitling you to a significantly larger back pay lump sum.
Who Is Eligible For VA Disability Back Pay?
Generally, veterans who have been approved for VA disability benefits are also eligible for back pay. If you’re filing a claim for the first time, you will typically receive back pay based on the effective date of your claim after the VA approves it.
If the VA denies your claim and you later succeed in overturning that decision on appeal, you may still be eligible for back pay from the date the VA received your initial claim. If you became eligible for VA disability benefits at some point after you filed your first claim, the VA will set your effective date for back pay as the day your eligibility began.
When Can You Expect to Receive Your VA Disability Back Pay?
VA disability back pay is usually included with the first disability compensation payment you receive after your claim is approved. You should receive your first benefits payment and back pay within 15 days of receiving your official decision letter from the VA.
How Can You Maximize Your VA Disability Back Pay?
While there aren’t too many variables involved in determining VA disability back pay, being timely can help you maximize the amount you receive. To maximize your back pay, take the following steps:
Submit an Intent to File
Submitting an “Intent to File” form with the VA can allow you to file a claim later while receiving more back pay. As long as you file your VA claim within a year, your effective date may be set to when the VA receives the form.
Check your effective date
The rules for setting your effective date may vary depending on the type of claim you’re pursuing and your condition’s connection to your service. Checking that your effective date is accurate can ensure you’re receiving the full amount of back pay you’re entitled to.
File your claim early
The earlier you file your claim, the sooner you can start receiving back pay. The VA can take several months or even years to process your claim, so having an earlier effective date will also maximize the amount of back pay you receive.
Submit timely appeals
Similarly, promptly appealing any denials is key to preserving your original effective date and securing approval of your benefits as quickly as possible.
Work with a veterans disability lawyer
Last but definitely not least, advice from an experienced legal professional can help you make the right decisions for your unique situation and give you the best chance of getting an optimal result.
Contact Rob Levine Law Today for Help With Your VA Disability Claim
With more than 75 years of combined experience handling veterans disability claims, the skilled attorneys at Rob Levine Law have helped more than 50,000 people recover over $2 billion in injury compensation and disability benefits. Our trusted legal team is available 24/7 to take your call and help you secure the VA disability benefits you deserve.
To learn more about what benefits you might be entitled to, visit our VA disability calculator.
Contact us online or call (800) 742-3920 today for a free consultation.
