It is necessary to identify a veteran in order to be eligible for numerous benefits and services under the administration of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “Veteran” has certain requirements for armed forces service, discharge status, and entitlement to benefits.
Defining a veteran
A “veteran” for Title 38 of the United States Code is one “who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.”
The definition is used as the foundation for eligibility to receive various VA benefits.
Elements of active service
The term “active military, naval, or air service” includes several categories:
- Active duty: Regular full-time service with the Armed Forces, but not active duty for training.
- Active duty for training (ADT): Full-time Reserves’ duty for training.
- Inactive duty training (IDT): Reserve or National Guard member training (except full-time).
National guard and reserve member eligibility
National Guard and Reserves members can become veterans under specific conditions:
- Federal active duty: Fed active duty (Title 10) orders other than for training and discharged other than by dishonorable conditions, they qualify as veterans.
- Service-connected disability: Disabled Reserves or National Guard members disabled by disease or injury by reason of the line of duty or by training status, are also counted as veterans.
Minimum duty requirements
In an effort to be qualified for specific VA benefits, veterans must provide at least a period of active duty:
- Post-Sept. 7, 1980 Enlistees: Post-Sept. 7, 1980 enlistees must have been on active duty for 24 consecutive months or the length of time they were ordered on active duty. Exceptions are disability incurred or aggravated while in line of duty, hardship, or “early out.”
Character of discharge
The character of the discharge a member receives is one key consideration in determining veteran status:
- Eligible discharges: Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), and Other Than Honorable (under certain circumstances) discharges may qualify someone for veteran status.
- Ineligible discharges: Dishonorable discharges usually make people ineligible for VA benefits.
Wartime service and pension eligibility
Wartime service is one key consideration for determining eligibility for certain VA benefits, including pensions:
- Wartime periods established: The VA has established certain wartime periods, such as World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. Veterans who served one or more days during these periods may be eligible for the wartime service requirement.
- Eligibility for pension: Modest-income veterans who served in wartime can become eligible for VA pension benefits.
Verification of veteran status
To qualify for VA benefits, applicants will need to prove veteran status:
- Documentation: The DD Form 214 is the most frequently used document to verify military service, such as the character of service, dates, and discharge status.
- Other records: Other documents, such as service medical records and personnel records, will occasionally be used to establish eligibility for specific benefits.
