Follow the claim, one decision at a time

Could the date go back further?

Check the filing history, see what each review preserves, and identify what the records still need to establish.

What this calculator covers: an initial service-connection claim for any condition, followed by modernized reviews (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, Board appeal). Increases, special rules, Court appeals and other exceptions are flagged for separate review, not calculated.

Your timeline entries are not sent or saved. Reloading or closing this page clears them.

Name this timeline (optional)

Use your own description, or leave it blank. Create a separate timeline for an issue with different filings or decisions.

Where the claim began

Starting claim type ITF received by VA, if applicable Original complete claim receivedUse the date VA received the complete application. Does an ITF apply to this claim?

Multiple conditions on one application and separate applications are different situations. A qualifying ITF can establish a claim date; it does not establish medical entitlement.

Initial decision notice date

What happened after each decision

Add the reviews that followed your initial decision, in order. Use the dates VA issued decision notices and received filings.

I checked the notice and receipt dates against the records. Service-connection grant month, if knownThe month VA granted the claim is not automatically its effective date.

The facts that can change the answer

When did entitlement arise?

This is when the service-connection requirements were met. It is not automatically the exam date, diagnosis date, or date a doctor wrote a nexus letter.

Does this history involve a special rule?

An exception needs a separate analysis. This calculator stops instead of applying the ordinary formula to it.

Go straight to the possible date and any details still needed.

Check the basis

Rules and sources used

Rules reviewed October 9, 2026. This calculator applies the ordinary initial-claim path only. It is not a complete calculator for every VA effective-date exception.

Court decisions matter too. The displayed text of 38 CFR 3.155 still excludes supplemental claims from intents to file, but the Federal Circuit invalidated that exclusion in Military-Veterans Advocacy. Competing claims and ITF association need separate review; read how one recent case handled it.

Educational tool. A result depends on the facts you entered; it is not a VA decision or an accredited review. No back-pay amount, payment start date or appeal deadline is calculated.

Effective Dates Guide

Every effective-date rule in plain English: ITFs, the one-year rules, increases, CUE and earlier-date theories.

All VA Calculators

Combined rating, back pay, SMC pay, DIC, pension, and the rest in one place.

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