Pension

[skidmark]

Do I receive back pay for dependants? And if so how far back they go?

[pwrslm]

Not following you on this.  You already approved for pension, and then got dependents included? If that is what it is, they should pay dependent increases back to the date you were awarded pension, or the date you acquired dependents (like if you just got married).  I think you have up to a year to apply to get back pay, otherwise its lost.

[broncovet]

Well, yes, you get backpay for dependents, but there is a limit.  Like other things, its one year.  

Example:  You apply for, and are awarded pension, and get a decision on Jan. 1, 2017, with an effective date in July, 2016.  In March, 2017, you send in all the applicable dependent forms. Unlike others, VA manages "not" to loose your dependent forms.  (Dont count on that one tho..VA has lost my dependent forms at least 4 times.)   In this instance you get back pay for dependents all the way back to your effective date, since you applied for the dependent compensation within a year of the decision.  

Example 2:  You applied for and got pension in 2008.   At that decision, they told you that you were being paid as a single man, yet you had 3 dependents.  You do nothing until  March, 2017, when you apply for dependent compensation.  You will get it only from March, 2017, when you applied, and not back to 2008.  There may be exceptions to this, however, such as if you did "not" recieve your applicable notice that you may appeal the decision.  The number of dependent(s) compensation, if any, is an appealable issue and your appeal period expires after one year.   

 

Edited March 20, 2017 by broncovet

[skidmark]

Yeah I got 30 % appeal that took 5 years.  I just got it in December 2016, didn't know about dependants until January 2017,  I then put in for my wife of 12 years, and 3 adopted children of august 2016 . Thanks 

[broncovet]

If you just got a RO decision in dec. 2016, then "when VA gets around to it", yes, you should get back pay for dependents back to your effecitve date, if you submit dependent info within a year of the decision.