Eligibility
If you have served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard and have a honorable or general discharge, you qualify for most VA benefits. Men and women veterans with similar service are entitled to the same VA benefits.
If you fall in one of the special groups listed below, click on the link to find out if you are eligible.
Wartime Service
Certain VA benefits require wartime service. To review the war periods VA recognizes click here.
Special Groups:
Various groups who have provided military-related service to the United States have been granted VA benefits. For the service to qualify, the Secretary of Defense must certify that the group has provided active military service. Individuals must be issued a discharge by the Secretary of Defense to qualify for VA benefits. for a detailed list of special groups, click here.
Selected Reserve and National Guard:
Selected Reservists who have served on active duty establish veteran status and may be eligible for VA benefits, depending on the length of active military service and the character of discharge. In addition, reservists not activated may qualify for some VA benefits.
Members of the National Guard activated for federal service during a period of war or domestic emergency may be eligible for certain VA benefits, such as VA health care, compensation for injuries or conditions connected to that service, and burial benefits. Activation for other than federal service does not qualify guard members for all VA benefits. Claims for VA benefits based on federal service filed by members of the National Guard should include a copy of the military orders, presidential proclamation or executive order that clearly demonstrates the federal nature of the service. For more information, click here.
Filipino Veterans:
Effective December 30, 2003, the Department of Veterans Affairs began offering new VA services for certain World War II Filipino veterans.
Previously, both Commonwealth Army veterans and New Philippine Scouts were eligible for treatment of service-connected disabilities in VA medical facilities. The Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of 2003 removes the requirement that these veterans must qualify for VA service-connected compensation as a condition of health care.
In addition to removing the compensation requirement, the law treats both groups equally, expanding eligibility for certain health care benefits to New Philippine Scouts. Under earlier regulations, Commonwealth Army veterans but not New Philippine Scouts were eligible for treatment of non-service-connected disabilities in the same manner as U.S. World War II veterans if they receive certain VA compensation and reside legally in the United States.
The health benefit changes are effective immediately. Affected Filipino veterans not currently using VA health care may apply for enrollment in the VA medical plan immediately by completing online Form 10-10EZ or by requesting a mailed form by calling VA at 1-877-222-8387.
Filipino veterans seeking care must include proof of legal residency with their applications when submitted to the VA treating facility of their choice. Examples of acceptable proof are available online at www.va.gov/elig or from 1-877-222-8387.
The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 also will double the VA disability compensation currently paid to New Philippine Scouts if they live in the United States and are either a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Previously these veterans were paid at half the disability rates normally paid to U.S. veterans.
That law will improve benefits for the eligible survivors of both New Philippine Scouts and veterans of the Commonwealth Army or organized guerrilla units if the survivors are currently paid at the half rate and meet the U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent alien criteria.
Those changes are effective immediately, but no action is required by the affected Filipino veterans or dependents who are currently on the rolls at the lower rates. VA will automatically adjust their payments.
New Philippine Scouts who lawfully reside in the United States are now eligible for burial in a national cemetery and are eligible for the monetary and headstone or marker burial benefits available to U.S. veterans if they meet the residency requirements. To find out more, click here.