Combat Veterans Eligibility for VA Health Care Benefits Has Been Extended!!

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of Fiscal Year 2008 was signed by President Bush on January 28, 2008.  This Act extends the period of enhanced enrollment opportunity for health care eligibility provided a veteran who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 (commonly referred to as combat veterans or OEF/OIF veterans) as follows:

• Currently enrolled combat veterans will have their enhanced enrollment period automatically extended to 5 years from their most recent date of discharge.

• New enrollees discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003 are eligible for this enhanced enrollment health benefit for 5 years after the date of their most recent discharge from active duty.

• Combat Veterans who never enrolled and were discharged from active duty between November 11, 1998 and January 27, 2003 may apply for this enhanced enrollment opportunity through January 27, 2011.

NOTE:  Combat veterans who applied for enrollment after January 16, 2003, but were not accepted for enrollment based on the application being outside the previous post-discharge two year window will be automatically reviewed and notified of the enrollment decision under this new authority.

For combat veterans to find out how this law affects you, fill out the Combat Veteran Extended Benefits Calculator

National Guard and Reserve personnel who were activated and served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 may also be eligible for enhanced health care benefits under the “Combat Veteran” authority.  To qualify, they must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, and served the period in which they were called to duty.

For questions concerning Combat Veteran eligibility, visit the Combat Veteran Frequently Asked Questions

For general questions about VA benefits please contact New Directions’ Operation Welcome Home Community Liaison, Eric Kwonrad at 310-914-4045, ext. 300, or email benefitsnow@ndvets.org

or visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care page: