Health Benefits

In theory, Veterans that served on active duty for a qualifying length of time (including qualifying Reserve and Guard callups) and who received an other than dishonorable discharge are eligible for health care. However, since the Department of Veteran Affairs does not receive enough funding, Veterans are placed in Priority Groups based both on the Veteran’s service history and current net worth and income. Your Priority Group will also determine any co-pays you may have.

For example, a Veteran having a 50% or greater disability rating is in Priority Group 1, OIF and OEF Veterans start in Priority Group 6 (unless other aspects of their service history give them a higher priority), and persons with no service connected disabilities and whose income is above the geographic income threshold (as of June 15, 2009 the GMT is increased by 10%, see this page for details) are in Priority Group 8. Veterans in Group 8 who were not enrolled in the VA system prior to January 16, 2003 will not be able to enroll until their income falls below the limit.

Benefit Eligibility Calculator

The DVA provides a calculator that will help you determine your income-based eligibilty. If you are not a veteran in Priority Groups 1 - 6 click here to determine your eligibility.

Qualifying Disharges

• Honorable
• General Under Honorable
• Discharge under Honorable Conditions

Persons receiving Dishonorable or Bad Conduct discharges from a general courts-martial are not eligible for VA medical benefits. Persons having discharges from a special courts-martial or with administrative Other than Honorable discharges may be eligible for VA medical benefits. US Code Title 38 §3.12, Title 38 §5303(a)

Qualifying Military Service - Active Duty

• Any length of service if enlisted active duty service started prior to September 8, 1980
• Any length of service if service as an officer began prior to October 17, 1981
• 24 months if service doesn’t meet the prior two qualifications

Qualifying Military Service - Reserve and Guards

• As a reservist, were called to Active Duty and completed the callup term
• As a Guard Member, were called up by federal executive order and completed the callup term

Other Service Qualifications

• received an “early out”
• were released or discharged for a hardship
• were released due to a disability that ocurred in the service or was aggravated in the service
• was determined to have a a service related condition
• was discharged for reason other than disability, but had a condition that was disabling and would have justified a disability discharge (must be documented in service records)

How to Apply

To enroll in the VA, print and fill out the Enrollment Form 10-10ez and take it to the nearest VA facility along with a copy of the Veteran’s DD-214. If the DD-214 is not available, a replacement can be ordered from the National Archives. You can also apply on line.

If the Veteran feels any of the following are true they should submit an application for serviced connected benefits:

• Injured while in Service
• Was seriously ill while in service, and the Veteran believes he or she has continuing problems
• Developed a mental or physical condition that may be related to military service
• Is permanently and totally disabled and the Veteran believes it is due to his or her military service

The Veteran should seek out the assistance of a Veteran Service Officer when filing a service connected claim. The VSO will assist him or her in filling out the paperwork, gathering the required documentation, and tracking the status of the claim at no cost. Most Veterans Organizations, like the VFW, American Legion, Order of the Purple Heart, etc. have VSOs. The Veterans Affairs Departments for each state also have Veteran Service Officers. If you would like some assistance in finding a VSO near you, please call us at 888 777-4443.