Reviewing VA Medical Benefits
Brad Smith • February 26, 2020
Did you know there are hundreds of benefits available to military veterans ranging from health care to education and training, to housing assistance? With the options available it can be difficult to know which you may be eligible for. One problem is the number of benefits programs, and another problem is misconceptions about who is eligible for these programs. VA medical benefits, for example, is a vastly misunderstood benefit. There are countless veterans that are eligible for VA health care benefits but aren’t aware they can apply.
Why you should be aware of VA medical benefits
Let’s face it, we all get older. Unfortunately, our bodies age, joints get tighter, pain increases and many veterans find themselves dealing with wounds and battle scars from military service of years past.
As an Active Duty service person, many are of the belief they need to just keep moving, take some Advil and deal with the pain later. The truth is that a disabled veteran can’t just push through the pain and injury forever. The reality for many former service members is that they need intensive and potentially expensive, healthcare.
The good news is that health care from the Veterans Administration is available to qualified veterans, at little-to-no cost.
Who Can Qualify?
To qualify for VA health care benefits, one must have served on active duty in the Armed Forces and meet certain criteria. All military veterans are potentially eligible to receive VA medical care, depending on when and where they served, if they have been wounded, injured, or became ill while on Active Duty, based on income levels, or several other factors. Contrary to popular rumors, you do not need a service-connected disability to receive VA health care benefits, nor do you need to have served in combat, have been wounded, etc.
All veterans are encouraged to apply for VA medical care coverage to see if they are eligible for care. Regardless of the fact many injuries do not manifest themselves until years later, they are still capable of garnering VA assistance. There are ways to know if you qualify for VA medical benefits, including but not limited to:
- You served in a theater of combat operations within the past 5 years.
- You were discharged or separated for medical reasons, early out, or hardship.
- You were discharged from the military because of a disability that was not preexisting.
- You are a former Prisoner of War.
- You received a Purple Heart Medal.
- You receive VA pension or disability benefits.
- You receive state Medicaid benefits.
- You served in the Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962, to May 7, 1975.
- You served in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990, to November 11, 1998.
Qualifying for VA health care benefits does not guarantee that all health care coverage is free. It is possible that there may be limitations based on your Priority Group or individual circumstances.
The Takeaway
The VA offers health care benefits to certain veterans. There are many misconceptions about who is qualified to receive these benefits. The good news is that many people are eligible for VA medical benefits, even if they don’t know about it.
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