The VA healthcare system is, by far, the largest integrated health system in the U.S. In 2025 9.1 million Veterans are enrolled—which is a little more than half of all American Veterans. With nearly 400,000 employees providing care at nearly 1,400 healthcare facilities, it is a massive system.
What does it take to be eligible for VA healthcare? The first overarching requirement is that you must have served on active duty, and you weren’t discharged dishonorably. Qualifying for VA Healthcare then depends upon if you have a service-connected disability, when and where you served, and your Priority Group.
Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities: Normally, if you have an injury or disability caused by your military service, you are eligible to be treated for that condition by the VA. If your disability or injury is severe enough for the VA to rate you at least 50% disabled for compensation benefits, all your medical care is free from the VA. Veterans with a disability rating below 50% are still eligible for VA healthcare, though their priority group and potential co-pay responsibilities may vary. Veterans with a 0% disability rating for a service-connected condition, while not receiving compensation, are still eligible to apply for VA healthcare enrollment.
World War II Veterans: More than 16 million Americans who were a part of what is known as the “Greatest Generation” served during this war. According to the WWII Museum in New Orleans, only about 66,000 are estimated to be still alive as of 2025. Since November 2023 all World War II Veterans are eligible for no-cost VA healthcare, medical services, and nursing home care. These Veterans no longer must make co-payments, pay enrollment fees or monthly premiums.
Korean War Veterans: Often part of what is called the “Forgotten War,” Veterans who served in Korea were involved in a conflict marked by intense battles and harsh conditions. Most Veterans from the Korean War-era who served between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955, are now in their 80s and may need funds for personal care aid, assisted living or other long term care needs. These Veterans may be eligible for VA healthcare and the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit.
Vietnam Era Veterans: The PACT Act made overseas Vietnam-era Veterans eligible for medical care with the law's signing Aug. 10, 2022, including Veterans who served in
- Republic of Vietnam (Jan. 9, 1962-May 7, 1975)
- Thailand, any U.S. or Royal Thai base (Jan. 9, 1962-June 30, 1976)
- Laos (Dec. 1, 1965-Sept. 30, 1969)
- Certain provinces in Cambodia (April 16, 1969-April 30, 1969)
- Guam or American Samoa or their territorial waters (Jan. 9, 1962-July 31, 1980)
- Johnston Atoll, or a ship that called there (Jan. 1, 1972-Sept. 30, 1977)
All Veterans Who Enlisted After Sept. 7, 1980, or Entered Active Duty After Oct. 16, 1981. To be eligible for VA Healthcare you must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless you were either:
- Discharged for a disability that was caused — or made worse — by your active-duty service, or
- Discharged for a hardship.
Veterans of Wars with Toxic Exposures: Under the PACT Act, Veterans of certain wars or who took part in a toxic exposure risk activity, or TERA, while in uniform became newly eligible for VA medical care in 2024. This included:
- Veterans who took part in a TERA, defined as exposure to certain air pollutants, chemicals, radiation, warfare agents and other occupational hazards.
- Veterans who served at, or in the airspace above, certain duty stations at certain times, including Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and the United Arab Emirates after Aug. 2, 1990 (Iraq's invasion of Kuwait); or Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Uzbekistan after Sept. 11, 2001.
- Veterans who deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support Mission.
Reserve or National Guard Veterans. If you’re a current or former reserve or National Guard member, you must have been called to federal active duty and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA healthcare.
How VA Determines Your Priority Group and Healthcare Eligibility: The number of Veterans who can be enrolled in the healthcare program is determined by the amount of money Congress gives VA each year. Since funds are limited, VA set up Priority Groups to make sure certain groups of Veterans are able to enroll before others. These groups determine the level of benefits and the cost of care a Veteran may receive.
Once you apply for enrollment, your eligibility will be verified. Based on your specific eligibility status, you will be assigned a Priority Group ranging from 1-8 with 1 being the highest priority.
The VA bases your Priority Group based on:
- Your military service history, and
- Your disability rating, and
- Your income level, and
- Whether or not you qualify for Medicaid, and
- Other benefits you may be receiving (like VA pension benefits)
Depending on their Priority Group assignment, some Veterans may have to pay a co-pay for treatment, and some may not be eligible for enrollment.
You may be eligible for more than one Priority Group. In that case, VA will place you in the highest Priority Group that you are eligible for.
If you have a physical or mental impairment caused by or made worse by your time in service, you may qualify for monthly VA disability benefits, but the road to winning benefits is long and difficult to navigate. The VA’s own statistics show that you have a better chance of being awarded the benefits you have earned if you have trained and experienced representative like a disability attorney. At Cuddigan Law our accredited VA attorneys will fight for your rights. Contact us for a FREE evaluation of your case, and we only get paid when you win your case.
