# How much VA back pay will I get?

Estimates VA disability back pay: the difference between your new rating and the rating VA paid, for each month since your effective date, at the rates in effect each month (December 2017 on).

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/finance/va-back-pay-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/finance/va-back-pay-calculator.json
- Version: b264a385ed46

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (New combined rating 70%, Rating VA already paid 30%, Effective date October 2, 2025, Back pay through October 2, 2026, Married No, Dependent parents None, Children under 18 0, Children 18 to 23 in school 0) on the example date Friday, October 2, 2026: Going from 30% to 70% effective October 2, 2025, your VA back pay through October 2, 2026 is about $15,037.55 for 12 months.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| new | New combined rating | The combined rating VA granted in the decision. |
| old | Rating VA already paid | The combined rating VA paid you during the back pay period (0% if you had no rating). |
| eff | Effective date | The effective date of the new rating in the VA decision letter (often the date VA got your claim). |
| thru | Back pay through | The last month of back pay: usually the month before VA starts paying the new rate. |
| spouse | Married | On when you have a spouse VA counts as your dependent. |
| aa | Spouse gets Aid and Attendance | On when your spouse needs the regular aid and attendance of another person. |
| parents | Dependent parents | How many of your parents depend on you for support. |
| kids | Children under 18 | Dependent children under age 18 during the whole period. |
| school | Children 18 to 23 in school | Dependent children age 18 to 23 in an approved school program during the whole period. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| backPay | Estimated back pay | The new monthly rate minus the rate already paid, added up over every month of back pay. |
| months | Months of back pay | From the first day of the month after the effective date through the month of the end date. |
| period | Back pay months | The first and last month counted. |
| monthlyNew | New monthly rate | The monthly pay at the new rating, at the rates of the last month counted. |
| monthlyGain | Monthly increase | The new monthly rate minus the old one, at the rates of the last month counted. |
| note | Rates used | Which VA rate tables the months use. |

## Method

Back pay = Σ over each month from the month after the effective date (38 U.S.C. 5111) through the end month of (VA monthly rate for the new rating − rate for the old rating), each at the VA rate table in effect that month.

## Assumptions

- Rate tables from December 1, 2017, to the rates effective December 1, 2025.
- Your dependents stay the same over the whole period.
- Special monthly compensation, individual unemployability, and offsets (military retired pay, separation pay, debts) are not included.
- VA decides the effective date and the amount; this is an estimate.

## Worked examples

1. new = 70, old = 30, eff = 2025-03-15, thru = 2025-11-30, spouse = no, parents = 0, kids = 0, school = 0 gives months = 8, backPay = $9,774.16, monthlyGain = $1,221.77, monthlyNew = $1,759.19. Source: VA past rates 2025 (https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/past-rates-2025/): 70% alone $1,759.19 − 30% alone $537.42 = $1,221.77 for April to November 2025 (38 U.S.C. 5111): 8 × $1,221.77 = $9,774.16.
2. new = 50, old = 0, eff = 2024-10-10, thru = 2026-02-28, spouse = yes, parents = 0, kids = 1, school = 0 gives months = 16, backPay = $20,668.34, monthlyNew = $1,322.90. Source: VA rates for 50% with a spouse and 1 child (https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/ and past-rates-2024, past-rates-2025): $1,255.16 (November 2024) + 12 × $1,287.04 + 3 × $1,322.90 = $20,668.34.
3. new = 100, old = 40, eff = 2019-05-20, thru = 2020-01-31, spouse = no, parents = 1, kids = 1, school = 0 gives months = 8, backPay = $20,811.52. Source: VA past rates 2019 and 2020 (https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/past-rates-2019/): 100% with 1 child and 1 parent $3,307.91 and $3,360.83, 40% $716.73 and $728.61.

## FAQ

### How is VA back pay calculated?

For each month from the month after your effective date until the new rate starts, VA pays the new monthly rate minus what it already paid you. Rates change every December 1, so each month uses the rate table in effect that month.

### When does VA back pay start?

Payments start on the first day of the month after the effective date (38 U.S.C. 5111). An effective date of March 15 means back pay starts on April 1.

### What is the effective date?

It is the date VA starts the new rating, shown in your decision letter. It is often the date VA got your claim or intent to file, or the day after discharge for a claim filed within a year of leaving service.

### Does back pay include dependents?

Yes, at a combined rating of 30% or more VA adds amounts for a spouse, children and dependent parents. This calculator uses the same dependents for every month; if they changed, VA’s amount will differ.

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Current Veterans disability compensation rates: https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Past rates: 2018 to 2025 (https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/past-rates-2025/ and the same address with each year)
- United States Code, 38 U.S.C. 5111 (Commencement of period of payment): https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/38/5111?type=usc&year=mostrecent&link-type=html
- United States Code, 38 U.S.C. 1115 (Additional compensation for dependents): https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/38/1115?type=usc&year=mostrecent&link-type=html