Effective Date
VA Terminology Definition
Plain English Definition
The date from which the VA will start paying you benefits. This determines how much back pay you receive.
Why This Matters
Generally, the effective date is when you filed your claim (or Intent to File). Filing earlier means more back pay if approved. This is why Intent to File is so important.
Example
If you filed an Intent to File on January 1, 2025, then filed your full claim in March 2025 and got approved in September 2025, your effective date would be January 1, 2025, and you'd receive back pay from that date.