What evidence should I gather?
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VA effective dates and award timing
Locate current and historical VA effective-date guidance and related award-adjustment references.
An effective-date question depends on the claim's history and the rules that apply to it. Start with the current reference, and use the historical reference only when the time period makes it relevant. These pages are not a back-pay calculator.
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- M21-1 V.ii.4.A
Current effective-date guidance
Start with the main effective-dates reference.
Official section: Effective Dates
- M21-1 V.ii.4.B
Historical effective-date guidance
This section is explicitly historical; do not treat it as the current rule for every claim.
Official section: Historical Guidance on the Assignment of Effective Dates
- M21-1 X.ii.2.B
Later-received service records
Find the separate revision guidance for supplemental service records.
Official section: Revision Based on Receipt of Supplemental Service Records
This is a curated selection, not every rule that might apply. References awaiting source or editorial review are omitted.
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Browse this topic →Where can I learn about my effective date?
Locate current and historical VA effective-date guidance and related award-adjustment references.
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