VA Back Pay Calculator
How much does the VA owe you in retroactive pay? Enter what's on your award letter — we do the arithmetic, not the legal determination.
Dependents from the start
Children counts kids under 18 only. A child 18–23 in a qualifying school program gets a different, higher rate this calculator doesn't model yet — your total will be too low if that applies to you.
Not sure of your effective date? It's on your VA award letter. If you think it's wrong, that's a question for an accredited representative — find one on VA.gov.
Enter your effective date above to see the calculation.
How back pay is calculated
Payment starts the month after your effective date (38 CFR § 3.31) — not the effective date itself. VA applies a new compensation rate every December 1, so a period spanning that date uses each month's own rate table, not one flat rate. If you were already receiving a prior rating, you're owed the difference between the new rate and the old one, not the full new rate.
This tool computes retroactive pay from the ratings and dates you provide. It is not legal or claims advice, does not determine your effective date or rating, is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the VA's official decision controls.