“I thought my new rating would go back to the date I appealed—but the VA picked a different date entirely. Why?”
You’re not alone. Many veterans are surprised (and frustrated) when the VA gives them a new rating but picks an effective date that doesn’t match when they filed an appeal or claimed worsening symptoms.
🔍 What Is an “Effective Date”?
The effective date is the day your new benefit starts. In rating decisions, it determines when back pay begins.
This is why it’s so important to file as soon as possible—every day you wait, you could be losing money you’ll never get back. The VA won’t backpay you to the day your condition started, only to when they were put on notice that it got worse or that you were seeking an increase.
The VA doesn’t always use the date you appealed or even the date you said your symptoms worsened. Instead, they often pick the date they first saw evidence—usually medical records or a claim form—that your condition had gotten worse.
Example from a real VA decision:
“Evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is currently 50 percent disabling, is increased to 70 percent effective December 4, 2013.”
- Even though the veteran filed an appeal in February 2014, the VA chose December 2013 based on the medical evidence they had. This kind of thing is very common.
📌 Appeal Dates vs. Rating Dates
It helps to remember:
- The appeal date is just the day you formally disagreed with a VA decision.
- The rating effective date is based on when your symptoms were shown to have worsened or when you submitted a new claim that led to the rating change.
If you submitted a claim for increase before the appeal—or had medical evidence showing your condition worsened—the VA can assign an earlier effective date. But they don’t always get it right.
🛠 How to Check Your Decision Letter
When you’re looking through your decision:
- Look for the words “effective [date]” — usually in the Reasons for Decision section.
- Ask: Why did they pick this specific date?
- Was there a C&P exam?
- Did you submit a private doctor’s report?
- Was it the date you filed a new claim or intent to file?
If it’s not obvious, it’s worth requesting your C-File to see what evidence they relied on.
💵 What If the Effective Date Is Wrong?
If you think your rating should have started earlier, you may have options:
✅ File for an Earlier Effective Date
You’ll need to show the VA had evidence that supported the higher rating sooner than they acknowledged.
✅ Argue Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE)
If the VA had that evidence in their possession and just failed to apply the law correctly, a CUE motion may be appropriate. This is a higher standard, but sometimes worth pursuing.
📁 Pro Tip: Request Your C-File
To fully understand why the VA picked the date they did, ask for your claims file (C-File). It includes rating decisions, medical evidence, C&P exam results, and internal VA notes. You can request it by:
- Submitting a FOIA request
- Asking your VSO or representative
- Calling 1-800-827-1000 and requesting it be mailed
🧭 Bottom Line
Don’t assume the VA picked the right effective date just because they gave you the rating you were seeking.
Check the reasoning. Read every word. And if the date doesn’t make sense based on your symptoms or claim history, dig deeper. Sometimes the VA gets it wrong—and when they do, you have the right to push back.
Want help figuring out your effective date? Post your redacted decision on our VA Claims and Benefits forum and we’ll help you break it down.
