Veterans Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides health care benefits to veterans. It covers multiple health care services, including:

• Geriatric evaluation — provides either an inpatient or outpatient evaluation of a veteran’s ability to care for him or herself.
• Daily adult healthcare — a therapeutic day care program that provides medical and rehabilitation services to veterans
• Respite care — provides either inpatient or outpatient supportive care for veterans
• Home care — nursing, physical therapy, and other services provided in the veteran’s home
• Hospice/palliative care — provides services for terminally ill veterans and their families

You or your surviving spouse may also be eligible for a monthly pension to help with extended care or long term assistance, if you meet the following criteria:

• Served at least 90 days of active military service
• Served at least one day during a period of war
  • • World War II
      • December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946
    • Korean Conflict
      • June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955
    • Vietnam War
      • August 5, 1964 (Feb. 28, 1961, for Veterans who served “in country” before Aug. 5, 1964), through May 7, 1975
    • Persian Gulf War
      • August 2, 1990, through date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law.
• Been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
• Wartime veterans who entered active duty on or after September 8, 1980, (for officers, October 16, 1981) must have completed at least 24 continuous months of military service, or served the time period they were ordered to active duty