how long in military to get va benefits

Full Answer

How long do you have to be in the military for VA?

Length of Service Requirements For VA Benefits. Since September 1980, an individual who enlists in the military for the first time must have completed a minimum period of service to be eligible for certain VA benefits. Generally speaking, the minimum period of service is either twenty-four months of continuous active duty or the entire period ...

When do you become eligible for VA disability benefits?

If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program.

What war periods are eligible for VA pension benefits?

Under current law, we recognize the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits: Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)

Do my VA benefits expire?

If not you are not alone, most veterans aren't aware of their benefits, let alone that many of them can expire. Although these deadlines are generally set in stone, the VA has provisions to waive them if you have a legitimate reason for not applying before the given deadlines.

How long do you have to be in the military to qualify for VA benefits?

24 continuous monthsTo be eligible for most veterans benefits, a minimum period of active duty of 24 continuous months or the full period for which a person is called or ordered to active duty must be completed. This rule has been in effect since October 16, 1981 for new enlistees.

Are all Veterans eligible for VA benefits?

All enrolled Veterans receive the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA's) comprehensive Medical Benefits Package which includes preventive, primary and specialty care, diagnostic, inpatient and outpatient care services.

What qualifies you for VA benefits?

Basic Eligibility: A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits including qualifying Reserve and National Guard members.

Who qualifies for VA?

If you served in the active military, naval or air service and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits.

Am I eligible for Veterans Pension benefits?

You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet these requirements. Both of these must be true: You didn’t receive a dishonorable...

How do I know if I served under an eligible wartime period?

Under current law, we recognize the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits: Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to...

What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge?

If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA pension benefits. There are 2 ways you can try to qualify: Find...

How many priority groups are there for VA?

When you apply for VA health care, you’ll be assigned 1 of 8 priority groups. This system helps to make sure that Veterans who need immediate care can get signed up quickly. Your priority group may affect how soon we sign you up for health care benefits.

How long did you serve at Camp Lejeune?

Served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. If none of the above apply to you, you may still qualify for care based on your income. Learn more about how the amount of money your family makes can affect whether you qualify for VA benefits. Learn more about income limits.

What does enhanced eligibility mean?

You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status (meaning you’ll be placed in a higher priority group, which makes you more likely to get benefits) if you meet at least one of the requirements listed below. At least one of these must be true.

Can I get VA health care benefits if I served in the military?

Am I eligible for VA health care benefits? You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.

How long did you serve in the military in 1980?

And at least one of these must be true about your service. You: Started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or. Started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called ...

When did the Vietnam War end?

Vietnam War era (February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)

What is service disabled veteran insurance?

Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (SDVI): A veteran who has a service-connected disability but is otherwise in good health may apply to VA for up to $10,000 in life insurance coverage at standard rates. Veterans who are totally disabled may apply for a waiver of premiums.

How long does it take for a vet to get dental treatment?

Dental Treatment : Veterans may receive one-time dental treatment who were not provided dental examination or treatment within 90 days of discharge or separation from service. Within 180 days of separation. VA Pension and Compensation.

What is the post 9/11 GI bill?

Post-9/11 GI Bill: The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides 36 months of education, training, and OJT benefits to eligible veterans. The full in-state tuition and fees are covered at public schools. for private schools there is an annual maximum amount that is inflation adjusted. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a housing allowance based on the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the location of the school, and an annual $1,000 for books and supplies.

Does the VA waive the deadline for disability?

These may include health and disability issues. However the VA will not waive a time limit for not knowing the deadline for your benefits. Here are some quick examples of common VA benefits and their time limits:

Do VA benefits expire?

Do Veterans Benefits Expire? Did you know that many of your VA benefits have an expiration date? If not you are not alone, most veterans aren't aware of their benefits, let alone that many of them can expire. Although these deadlines are generally set in stone, the VA has provisions to waive them if you have a legitimate reason for not applying ...

What qualifies you to be a veteran?

A veteran is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions, which were other than dishonorable. Persons who attended military academies are now considered veterans for financial aid purposes.

How much service time qualifies you as a veteran?

Served 90 total days of active service during wartime. Served 181 continuous days of active service during peacetime.

Are you considered a veteran if you only served 2 years?

Any individual who was previously on active duty service in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and was discharged for reasons other than dishonorable, are considered as veterans. 2 years of active duty service before being honorably discharged (for Montgomery GI Bill- Active Duty)

Who is considered a military veteran?

The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

How do you prove you are a veteran?

Here are a few common methods veterans can use to verify military service:

How long do you have to serve in the military to get VA benefits?

Generally, you must have 90 days or 24 months of active service (depending on when you served) to qualify. *You are also eligible if you previously completed 24 continuous months of active service prior to the date above, or received an early discharge under Section 1171 of Title 10.

Are you considered a veteran if you served during peacetime?

To be considered by the VA to have served during wartime, a Veteran need not have served in a combat zone, but simply during one of these designated periods. All other times are considered peacetime. Women who served in the World War II military, including nurses, qualify as Veterans.

How long do you have to be on active duty to be eligible for VA?

If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program. See details.

When did veterans start active duty?

Former enlisted persons who started active duty before September 8, 1980, or. Former officers who first entered active duty before October 17, 1981. The number of veterans who can be enrolled in the health care program is determined by the amount of money Congress gives VA each year.

How long does an ADMGIB last?

In all cases, the ADMGIB expires 10 years after discharge or retirement. To be eligible, one must have an honorable discharge. To retain MGIB benefits after discharge, in most cases, one must serve at least 36 months of active duty, if they had a four-year active duty contract, or at least 24 months of active duty, if they signed up for a two or three-year active duty contract (there are some exceptions to this rule).

What is disability compensation?

Disability compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty or were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care.

What is considered a veteran for hiring purposes?

However, in order to be considered a veteran for hiring purposes, the individual's service must meet certain conditions. Preference is given to those honorably separated veterans (this means an honorable or general discharge) who served on active duty in the Armed Forces.

What is VA medical care?

VA Medical Care. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care to eligible veterans. If you have a discharge other than honorable, you may still be eligible for care.

How many years of military service did Rod Powers have?

Rod Powers was the U.S. Military expert for The Balance Careers and was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service. There is no standardized legal definition of "military veteran" in the United States.