Is there anything that will make me more likely to get these benefits?
Yes. You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status if you meet the minimum active-duty service and discharge requirements and at least one of these descriptions is true for you. Enhanced eligibility means that we’ll place you in a higher priority group. This makes you more likely to get benefits.
At least one of these must be true:
- You receive financial compensation (payments) from VA for a service-connected disability.
- You were discharged for a disability resulting from something that happened to you in the line of duty.
- You were discharged for a disability that got worse in the line of duty.
- You’re a combat Veteran discharged or released on or after September 11, 2001.
Learn more about eligibility for transitioning active-duty service members and returning combat Veterans - You get a VA pension.
- You’re a former prisoner of war (POW).
- You have received a Purple Heart.
- You have received a Medal of Honor.
- You get (or qualify for) Medicaid benefits.
- You were exposed to toxins or hazards by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, X-rays, or other toxins. This exposure could have happened while training or serving on active duty, even if you were never deployed.
- You served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998.
- You served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
Or you must have served in any of these locations during the Vietnam War era:
- Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976
- Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969
- Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969
- Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980
- Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977
- Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 through May 7, 1975
If none of these descriptions apply to you, you may still qualify for health care based on your income. Find out if you may be eligible for free or reduced cost health care based on your income.
Learn more about income limits and your VA health care
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 benefits.
There are 2 ways you can try to qualify:
- Apply for a discharge upgrade
- Ask for a VA Character of Discharge review
Learn about applying for a discharge upgrade and requesting a Character of Discharge review
How do I apply?
You can apply online right now.
Apply for health care benefits
What if I need help filling out my application?
You can get help in any of these ways:
- Call our toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387.
- Get help from an accredited representative (a trained professional trusted to help with VA-related claims).
Get help filling out an application - Find your state’s Veterans agency
More about VA health care eligibility
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What are priority groups and how do they affect me?
I have other health insurance (like Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance). Does that affect whether I can get VA health care benefits?
When I leave active-duty service, how do I know if I’m eligible for TRICARE, VA health care, or both?
If I can’t get VA health care benefits, how else can I get health insurance?
If I don’t qualify for VA health care benefits, can I still get care for certain needs (like PTSD or military sexual trauma)?
I need vision care. Can I get it through VA?
I need dental care. Can I get it through VA?
I think I may have a service-connected disability. Can I get disability compensation (monthly payments)?
More eligibility information you may need
- Priority groupsFind out what VA priority groups are, how they work, and how they may affect you.
- Active-duty service members and VA health careLearn about your health care options after separation or retirement and how to apply for VA health care when you receive your separation or retirement orders. If you’re a combat Veteran, apply right away to take advantage of 10 years of enhanced eligibility.