Were you told, no?

To receive VA health care benefits under income eligibility, disability rating or toxic exposure ALL Veterans must meet these BASIC eligibility requirements:

• You served in the active military, (including as member of activated reserve unit) naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.

SOME veterans must also meet time-in-service requirements:

You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, If you served after September 7, 1980 or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, unless: 

• You were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
• You were discharged for a hardship or “early out".

There is no minimum time-in-service requirement for service members who served on active-duty service before September 7, 1980. 

Current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard are only eligible if:

• You were called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. 
• Active-duty status for training purposes would not count for VA Health Care eligibility. 

If you’re not eligible for VA health care based on other factors, like a service-connected disability for which the VA is compensating you or toxic exposures identified through a VA Health Care Toxic Exposure Screening, you may still be eligible based on your income. Income eligibility is determined by your income, family size and where you live.

• Find out if you are income-eligible for are for VA health care

Veterans who meet time in active-duty service requirements, did not receive a dishonorable discharge and who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving our country—at home or abroad - are eligible for VA health care under the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This includes all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11 or at Camp Lejeune between  Aug. 1, 1953, to Dec. 31, 1987.

Fact: While income is one way that Veterans may be eligible for health care, it is not a consideration for Veterans who are otherwise eligible through a service-connected VA disability or toxic exposure determination. 

Source: Healthcare Eligibility

Fact: The eligibility for VA healthcare is not solely determined by the time since separation from the military. Veterans are generally eligible if they served in the active military, naval, or air service and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Source: Healthcare Eligibility

Fact: Deployment is not a requirement for VA healthcare eligibility. Veterans who served in the military and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are generally eligible for VA healthcare. The length and location of service may affect eligibility for certain benefits, but it doesn't exclude veterans from healthcare services.

Source: Healthcare Eligibility 

Fact: The VA is designed to serve all eligible Veterans who meet the criteria for healthcare. There is no need for Veterans to feel they are taking the place of someone else. The VA is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare to all eligible Veterans, and resources are allocated to accommodate the healthcare needs of the Veteran population.

Source: Healthcare Eligibility

Veterans who are eligible for VA Health Care benefits may receive care at the VA with or without private insurance.  The VA will submit a claim to private insurers for health care services, anything that is not covered by private insurance will be paid by the VA, except for any applicable co-pays that a Veteran may be responsible for depending on the Veteran’s VA Health Care Priority Group.

Source: Healthcare Eligibility

Fact: VA healthcare is available to all eligible Veterans, not just those who served in combat. Eligibility is based on factors such as length of service, discharge status, and other considerations, including service-connected disability, exposure to toxins and income. 

Source: Healthcare Eligibility

Fact: Deployment is not a requirement for VA healthcare eligibility. If you served on active-duty military and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, you are eligible for VA healthcare with a VA service-connected disability. You may also be eligible for healthcare due to your exposure to toxins or hazardous chemicals. Read about the PACT Act and your benefits. Veterans may also receive VA health care based on income.  

Source: Healthcare Eligibility 

Fact: VA healthcare is not exclusively for Veterans with service-connected disabilities. While service-connected disabilities may affect the level of benefits a Veteran receives, VA healthcare services are available to all eligible Veterans, regardless of whether they have a service-connected disability. 

Source: Healthcare Eligibility 

Fact: The VA is committed to providing high-quality healthcare to Veterans. According to the VA, in many studies, VA care is shown to be as good as or better than care in the private sector. The VA has made significant improvements in recent years, and various quality measures are in place to ensure Veterans receive excellent care.

Source: VA Comparison Data

Fact: While wait times have been an issue in the past, the VA has implemented initiatives to reduce wait times and improve access to care. The VA provides transparent data on wait times, and efforts are ongoing to streamline the scheduling process. Veterans with urgent needs are prioritized for quicker appointments.

Source: Access and Quality in VA Healthcare 

Fact: The VA has been expanding its network of community care providers to increase access for Veterans, especially in rural areas. The MISSION Act, implemented in 2019, allows Veterans to receive care from approved community providers when VA services are not readily available.

Source: Community Care

Fact: The VA has invested heavily in modernizing its facilities and adopting cutting-edge medical technologies. Ongoing efforts include infrastructure improvements and the implementation of electronic health records to enhance the overall healthcare experience for veterans.

Source: VA Modernization