I submitted a claim for an increase on my VA disability on 12/5/17. I was NOT granted the increase in a decision letter dated 1/15/18. My local VSO submitted a reconsideration on 4/10/18 at the same time informing me of a veteran's event at the regional office on 4/26/18 where I could submit my new and material evidence to support my claim. On 6/28/18 I was awarded the increase but the effective date was 4/10/18. I was thinking the effective date would be 12/5/18 since I am still within the 1 year time frame and the reconsideration was for the exact same condition. I also have attached below what I think substantiates my theory. Can my fellow vets give me their opinion on this matter? Thanks all!
1) If you submit New and Material evidence within 1 year of the date your ratings decision denied your VA Disability claim, your claim is “open and pending” until the VA issues a new ratings decision, and if your benefits are granted based on that new and material evidence, your effective date could be the original date of your claim. This is a dangerous path to take, though, because if the VA denies your claim because the evidence wasn’t New and Material, then you may have lost your original effective date if you did not file an appeal within that same year after the VA Ratings Decision.