VA Disability Back Pay Calculator

Estimate disability compensation owed

This initial estimator uses the official veteran-alone, no-dependent compensation rates from 2023 through 2026. Enter the effective date, the last month of unpaid benefits, the rating VA actually paid, and the rating VA should have paid. For the last unpaid benefit month, select any day in that month; the day does not affect the estimate.

Important limitations

VA generally begins monetary payment on the first day of the month following the effective date under 38 CFR § 3.31. This calculator excludes the effective-date month and uses the annual VA rate in effect for each benefit month. December benefit months use the rate schedule effective that December.

It assumes unchanged ratings, no dependents, and no interruptions. It does not calculate SMC, dependent additions, staged ratings, military retired pay offsets, severance recoupment, withholding, attorney or agent fees, or actual payment dates. It cannot determine the legally correct effective date. For those issues, request an individual review of your award.

Source tables: 2026, 2025, 2024, and 2023.

Calculate your combined rating or learn how VA disability ratings work.