Effective Date

VA Claim Appeals

Effective Date

May 20, 2024
Question

I had a medical condition that was noted on my separation exam in 2003, but it was not formally diagnosed by medical records or C&P examiner until many years later. Will the VA have to go back to 2003 and award me benefits from that date since a notation of the in-service event was notated in 2003 or will the effective date be at time of diagnosis?

Answer

Thank you for submitting a question in the Stateside Legal Q&A Mailbag with TVC!


Generally, the effective date for an award of VA benefits for an initial claim is the date the VA received the claim, or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later. There can be exceptions to this general rule, but based on the facts provided, it appears that your effective date will be the date that you filed or do file your claim for service connection.

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