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Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents
List of chapters
Acronyms Spelled Out
Phone Numbers and Web Addresses
Links to topics on this page:
Introduction / General Eligibility / Wartime Service
Important Documents / Español
Introduction
Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code. This booklet contains a summary of these benefits effective Jan. 1, 2008. For additional information, visit the VA Web page at http://www.va.gov/.
La versión en español de este folleto se encuentra disponible en formato Adobe Acrobat a través de el link: http://www.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp.
General Eligibility
Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means 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. Generally, men and women veterans with similar service may be entitled to the same VA benefits.
Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees must contact a VA regional office to determine eligibility. VA benefits will not be provided to any veteran or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant.
Wartime Service
Certain VA benefits require service during wartime. Under the law, VA recognizes these war periods:
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 Nov. 11, 1918; for veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 1917, through April 1, 1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917, and Nov. 11, 1918.
World War II: Dec. 7, 1941, through Dec. 31, 1946.
Korean War: June 27, 1950, through Jan. 31, 1955.
Vietnam War: Aug. 5, 1964 (Feb. 28, 1961, for veterans who served “in country” before Aug. 5, 1964), through May 7, 1975.
Gulf War: Aug. 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.
Important Documents
To expedite benefits delivery, veterans seeking a VA benefit for the first time must submit a copy of their service discharge form (DD-214, DD-215, or for World War II veterans, a WD form), which documents service dates and type of discharge, or give their full name, military service number, and branch and dates of service. The veteran’s service discharge form should be kept in a safe location accessible to the veteran and next of kin or designated representative.
The following documents will be needed for claims processing related to a veteran’s death:
1. Veteran’s marriage certificate for claims of a surviving spouse or children.
2. Veteran’s death certificate if the veteran did not die in a VA health care facility.
3. Children’s birth certificates or adoption papers to determine children’s benefits.
4. Veteran’s birth certificate to determine parents’ benefits.
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