Most of the basic requirements are below. If there is any question about your eligibility for any benefit, don't waste time asking if you are eligible. Proceed to formally apply for the benefit you seek and you'll have a definite answer soon enough.
Your Benefits: How To Apply For A VA Benefit.
Your Benefits: How To Appeal If Your Claim Is Denied.
General Program Requirements
Eligibility for most Veterans' health care benefits is based solely on active military service in one of the seven uniformed services. These services are:
The Army
The Navy
The Air Force
The Marine Corps
The Coast Guard
The Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service
The Commissioned Officer Corps of the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Reservists and National Guard members who were called to active duty by a Federal Executive Order ordinarily qualify for VA health care benefits. Merchant Marines who served during World War II and former cadets of the military Service Academies may be eligible as well.
Some other groups may be eligible for some health benefits.
You must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. If your separation papers indicate your service was other than honorable, VA must study your service records to see if you qualify.
For reservists and Guard members who were called to federal active duty by an executive order, the usual requirement is that you served the full length of time you were ordered to serve.
For all others, the usual requirement is 24 months of continuous service.
There are a number of exceptions to these rules.
Returning service members, including Reservists and National Guard members who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations, have special eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for five years following discharge from active duty.
Because of budget requirements, VA cannot offer health care to every Veteran who meets these basic requirements. The law contains a complex system of priorities, mostly based on disability, income, and age.
Your Benefits: Clothing Allowance
Divorce In Military Families – How It’s Different & What You Need To Know
TRICARE - Health Care for Service Members and Others
What Do I Need to Know about the Federal Electronic Benefits Rules?
A Servicemembers Guide to Student Loan Interest Rates
Jim's Mailbag
Interactive Form and Letter Generators
VA - Health Care - Basic Medical Benefits Package for Veterans
Veterans Medical Care
Benefits provide outpatient medical services, hospital care, medicines,
and supplies to eligible Veterans. To receive health care, Veterans
generally must be enrolled in the VA health system. They may apply for
enrollment at any time. Veterans do not have to be enrolled in the VA
health system if they have service-connected disabilities of 50 percent
or more, want care for a disability that the military determined was
incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or want care for a
service-connected disability only. Veterans with service-connected
disabilities living or traveling overseas must register with the Foreign
Medical Program regardless of the degree of disability.
