Will I actually get compensation back to the original date I filed a claim approx 25 years ago?

[Wanderer]

Last year I was awarded 30% for asthma. This is the first time I received a benefit from the VA. I claimed bipolar also and I just noticed that eBenefits said my old bipolar claim (this was my third attempt) was reopened, however, it also said that does not mean you will be able to be compensated that far back. 

 

But I just got this quote off your vets law blog:
"If you reopen a previously denied claim by submitting New and Material Evidence, and you  win the reopened VA Disability claim based on military records, military service records, or military medical records that were previously unavailable to the VA or that the VA neglected to get in the prior claim, you can use the effective date rule in 38 CFR 3.156(c) to get an effective date of your original VA Disability claim date."

I met with the C&P examiner Nov 1 and afterwards he told me he would report I definitely had bipolar in the service. eBenefits says it is in Prep for decision. I ordered the 30 day Ramp a couple days ago. 
Does his examination count as New and Material Evidence? If so, and they go back that far, then I'm astounded.

[Wanderer]

eBenefits says my rating has been increased to 80%, woo hoo! Hope I get retro pay, the start date read Dec 1, 2018

[Wanderer]

I do get retro pay. I called and the rep told me they're depositing over $10,000 into my bank account in the next 15 days.