Get the Earliest Award: VA Effective Dates and Back Pay Strategy

Many vets never get the back pay they earned because they miss one small paperwork rule. In this 10-minute, kitchen-table briefing Gary walks you through the VA’s effective date rules in plain English—what starts your clock, how an Intent to File works, when a new claim or supplemental claim changes your date, and the exact forms and evidence that preserve or shift an effective date. You’ll get step-by-step instructions (VA Form 21-0966, 21-526EZ, 20-0995, and when to use a 21-4138 statement), common traps that cost veterans months of pay, and how C&P exam timing matters. This episode leaves you with one immediate, concrete action to lock an effective date today so you don’t lose a dime while you wait.