Eligibility Guidelines
U.S. Armed Forces veterans may be eligible for a wide range of benefits and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
General Eligibility
Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon character of discharge from active military service and time in service. Active service is defined by full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
It is important to know that being incarcerated or a dishonorable discharge does not bar a veteran from applying for VA benefits. VA benefits will not be provided to any Veteran or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant.
Certain VA Benefits Require Wartime Service: under the law, VA recognizes these periods of war:
Periods of War
| War or Service Period | Qualifying Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mexican Border Period | May 9, 1916 through April 5, 1917 | For Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters. |
| World War I | April 6, 1917 through November 11, 1918 | For Veterans who served in Russia, the period extends from April 6, 1917 through April 1, 1920. The period extends through July 1, 1921 for Veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918. |
| World War II | December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946 | |
| Korean War | June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955 | |
| Vietnam War | August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975 | For Veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964, the start date is February 28, 1961. |
| Gulf War | August 2, 1990 through a date to be set |
