When VA increases a disability rating, the effective date is governed by 38 CFR 3.400. For an increased-rating claim, the effective date is generally the date VA received the claim, or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later. However, under 38 CFR 3.400(o)(2), if the evidence shows the disability actually worsened to the higher level at some point within the one year before you filed, VA is supposed to use that earlier "factually ascertainable" date, not the date of the decision or exam. If VA instead picked a date close to when you submitted new evidence (like a psychiatrist's letter), that suggests they treated the letter itself as proof of worsening rather than looking at whether the record shows the worse symptoms existed earlier.
To get an earlier effective date, you generally need evidence - usually medical records, buddy statements, or treatment notes - that already existed at or near the time of your original claim showing the same severity of symptoms. A letter written today describing how bad things have always been is helpful context, but retrospective opinions carry more weight when they reference contemporaneous treatment records, medication changes, work or relationship problems, or hospitalizations from that earlier period. If such records exist, you can file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) specifically on the effective date issue, or appeal the increase decision itself to the Board (VA Form 10182) if you're still within the appeal window, arguing the correct effective date under 3.400(o)(2).
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Filing a supplemental claim for an earlier effective date does not "poke the bear" in the sense of risking a reduction - a claim focused on effective date doesn't reopen the question of current severity, so it shouldn't trigger a new C&P exam or put your current 70% at risk. Reductions require their own due-process procedures and evidence of actual improvement, which this type of claim doesn't invite.
Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions measured by VetAid (vetaid.ai/bva/outcomes) show that earlier-effective-date issues are granted about 26.7% of the time, denied 49.2%, and remanded 14.8%, though this reflects already-appealed cases, not a random sample or odds for initial claims.
The concrete next step is to gather any medical or lay evidence from before your original 2025 claim showing the same severity of PTSD symptoms, then file a Supplemental Claim or Notice of Disagreement specifically contesting the effective date under 38 CFR 3.400(o)(2).
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