Estimate your VA back pay, month by month.
Enter your effective date, your decision date and your ratings. Each month is figured at the VA rate that was in force that month.
How VA figures back pay
- The effective date sets the start. It is often the date VA received your claim or intent to file.
- VA pays a new or higher rating from the first day of the month after the effective date (38 CFR 3.31).
- Each month is paid at the rate in force that month. Rates change every December 1.
- An increase pays the difference between the new rating and the rating VA was already paying.
- The lump sum covers the months before the decision month.
VA disability rates by year, veteran alone
| Rating | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $136.24 | $140.05 | $142.29 | $144.14 | $152.64 | $165.92 | $171.23 | $175.51 | $180.42 |
| 20% | $269.30 | $276.84 | $281.27 | $284.93 | $301.74 | $327.99 | $338.49 | $346.95 | $356.66 |
| 30% | $417.15 | $428.83 | $435.69 | $441.35 | $467.39 | $508.05 | $524.31 | $537.42 | $552.47 |
| 40% | $600.90 | $617.73 | $627.61 | $635.77 | $673.28 | $731.86 | $755.28 | $774.16 | $795.84 |
| 50% | $855.41 | $879.36 | $893.43 | $905.04 | $958.44 | $1,041.82 | $1,075.16 | $1,102.04 | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,083.52 | $1,113.86 | $1,131.68 | $1,146.39 | $1,214.03 | $1,319.65 | $1,361.88 | $1,395.93 | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,365.48 | $1,403.71 | $1,426.17 | $1,444.71 | $1,529.95 | $1,663.06 | $1,716.28 | $1,759.19 | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $1,587.25 | $1,631.69 | $1,657.80 | $1,679.35 | $1,778.43 | $1,933.15 | $1,995.01 | $2,044.89 | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $1,783.68 | $1,833.62 | $1,862.96 | $1,887.18 | $1,998.52 | $2,172.39 | $2,241.91 | $2,297.96 | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $2,973.86 | $3,057.13 | $3,106.04 | $3,146.42 | $3,332.06 | $3,621.95 | $3,737.85 | $3,831.30 | $3,938.58 |
How the estimate works
Payment at a new rating starts the first of the month after the effective date. Each month uses that year's VA rate table, and an increase counts only the difference from what VA was already paying.
Common questions
When does VA back pay start?
VA pays a new or higher rating from the first day of the month after the effective date (38 CFR 3.31). The effective date is often the date VA received your claim or intent to file.
Does back pay use today's rates?
No. VA pays each past month at the rate that was in force then. Rates change every December 1, so this estimate uses the table for each month, back to December 2017.
How is back pay figured for a rating increase?
Each month counts the difference between the new rating and the rating VA was already paying, at that month's rates.
Is the estimate what VA will pay?
No. Family changes during the period, offsets such as military retired pay, and representative fees can change the amount. Compare it with your decision letter.