Jim,

I know you are kept very busy, but am hoping you can answer a question for me. My question is kind of a follow up on your answer to “How Many Days On Active Duty To Qualify for VA Benefits”.

I am trying to help one of my neighbors out. He is a reservist who enlisted in 1971 and was honorably discharged in 1977. His only active duty time was for his initial training (4 Months), and approximately 5 more months that was his weekend drill training. He has approximately 9 months “Active” duty time for training purposes only. He applied for a NSC pension, approximately 2 years ago, and was denied because he had no active duty time. (That is, he had no active duty time other than for training purposes).

He would like to try and enroll in the VA Healthcare system-but I have the feeling he would not be eligible for it either, due to the same reason. (He has lots of medical issues-but none to my knowledge that can be traced back to his military training). My question is: Am I correct in my though that he is not eligible for enrollment in the VA healthcare system also, due to the fact his only active duty time was for training purposes? I don’t want to get his hopes up by filling out and submitting the paperwork if he is not eligible. Thanks for your time.

Reply:

>From the VA web site:

Basic Eligibility

If you served in the active military service and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health benefits as well.

Reserves or National Guard members with active duty for training purposes only do not meet the basic eligibility requirement.

I fear that without any other qualifying factors, your friend won't be eligible.