question Is back pay possible for a spouse not added as a dependent?

This is a veteran-related question from a JVHV member
Z

ZestyZebra

New member
I married in 2010 but didn't add my wife as a dependent. Just learned this in 2023, and they've now added her, bumping up my monthly by $100.

Do I get back pay for all those years she wasn't listed? I reached out to the VA, and they're checking, but no word yet.
 
dVet

dVet

Member
Board Chair
A friendly reminder, an audit isn't an overnight process. I noticed a slight discrepancy in my dependent pay when I tallied up what was owed retroactively after an appeal, so I requested an audit over the phone. They put one in for me, and it later showed up as a claim a week or two later.

As you can see, the audit was requested on October 5, 2023, and I'm still waiting to hear back if I've been paid what's due.

VA Audit for dependents
 
CalVet

CalVet

Member
This should clear everything up.
Q: I didn’t know I could add dependents to my disability compensation benefits. Do I get paid back to the date my spouse and I got married and when my children were born?
A: VA may pay you back to the date of your marriage or the birth of your child if you had already received your 30% or higher disability rating at that point and:
• Notified VA within one year of the date the dependency arose, and
• Responded within one year to VA’s request for any additional information needed to confirm your dependent(s)
Click to expand...
See: https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/docs/bas-dependency-faq-final-508.pdf
 
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