Claim Recon/Tools/Back Pay Estimator

Back Pay Estimator

What does your retro actually look like?

Estimate VA back pay from a rating change. Uses 2026 rates, dependent additions, and the effective-date math VA applies under 38 C.F.R. § 3.400.

2026 COLA

2.8%

Eff. Dec 1 2025

Authority

§ 3.400

Effective date

Dependents

30%+

Threshold

Effective date

Date your claim was filed or entitlement began

Rating change

Pick the rating before and the rating you expect

Current

New / expected

Dependents

Dependent additions only apply at 30% and above (38 C.F.R. § 3.23)

Married (has spouse)

Children <18

Children 18–23 in school

Dependent parents

Fill in effective date and both ratings to see your estimate.

BACK PAY ESTIMATE

Provide a valid effective date and a rating increase to see the estimate.

NEXT STEP

File an Intent to File the moment you can. The effective date locks once VA receives a valid ITF, and back pay accrues from that date.

File ITF at VA.gov

Educational tool. Cites 38 C.F.R. § 3.400 (effective date), § 3.23 (dependent additions). Actual back pay is set by VA based on the effective date and the rating decision. Not a substitute for an accredited representative.

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