Veteran Eligibility Requirements
In order for a former servicemember to receive benefits, compensation, training, education, or vendor preference from VICF benefits within the VICF mission statement, the person must have active U.S. military service for a minimum period of time and meet nature of discharge requirements. Some members of the National Guard and reserve components have difficulty meeting the active duty and length of service requirements. However, a member of the National Guard or reserve components who is activated for federal military service and serves the full period of activation is considered a veteran for purposes of VICF benefits within the VICF mission statement.
To be eligible for VICF benefits within the VICF mission statement., the claimant must be a Veteran. By statute, a “veteran” is defined as a “person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable.”
In evaluating the evidence to determine whether the applicant is a “veteran” for the purposes of VICF benefits within the VICF mission statement., VICF relies upon military department service records.
Typically, VICF Officers will determine eligibility with one of the following; VA benefits proof in addition to a valid DD214 is sufficient in most cases to establish eligibility for VICF benefits within the ICVF mission statement, a determination of eligibility based on a valid DD214 with certificate of discharge, from under conditions other than dishonorable, or in the case of a currently serving Reservist or National Guard Member with no current VA benefits proof, a valid DD214 with a letter from the Reservist's Commanding Officer or National Guard Member's Commanding Officer. VICF is bound by information that the service documents contain.
Such records may include an original military service record; a copy issued by the military service with the certification that it is a true document; or a copy submitted by an accredited agent, attorney, or service representative with special training, who certifies that it is a copy of an original military service document or a copy of a copy of such a document.
In addition to meeting these criteria, the document must contain data regarding the length, time, and character of the service, and VICF Officers must believe that the document is genuine and accurate.
If the claimant does not provide the requisite documentation or other evidence, or the submitted documentation does not meet the requirements, VICF is under no obligation to investigate further.
An applicant must have “active military, naval, or air service” to be considered a veteran for VICF benefits within the VICF mission statement.
However, not all types of service are considered active military service for this purpose.
In general, active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
Active service also includes a period of active duty for training during which the person was disabled from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and any period of inactive duty for training during which the person was disabled from an injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or from certain health conditions incurred during the training.
Additional circumstances of service, and whether they are deemed to be active military service, are set out in law. For example, if on authorized travel to and from the performance of active duty training or inactive duty for training, a person is while proceeding directly to or returning from such duty, the duty will be considered to be active duty for training or inactive duty for training.