38 CFR §3.31
When Payments Actually Begin
Money starts on the first day of the month after the effective date — not on the effective date itself.
Read the official text of 38 CFR §3.31In plain English
This short rule catches almost everyone by surprise. Even when your effective date is the 3rd of a month, the VA does not pay for that partial month. Payment begins on the first day of the following calendar month.
It matters most in back pay math. If you count from the effective date instead of the first of the next month, your estimate will be one month high.
What the rule actually requires
- Payment of monetary benefits begins the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the award became effective.
- The same rule applies to increases, not just initial awards.
Why this matters to your claim
Our Back Pay Calculator applies this rule automatically so your estimate matches what the VA will actually deposit.
This is our plain-English summary, written for veterans — it is not the regulation itself and it is not legal advice. The controlling text is the current official version, linked above. The VA makes all final decisions about eligibility and payment.
Official text of 38 CFR §3.31
