Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents - CT.gov

IntroductionVeterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for abroad range of programs and services provided by the U.S. Departmentof Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are legislated in Title38 of the United States Code. This booklet contains a summary ofthese benefits effective Jan. 1, 2009. For additional information, visitthe VA Web page at http://www.va.gov/.La versión en español de este folleto se encuentra disponible enformato Adobe Acrobat a través de el link: http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/index.asp.General EligibilityEligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from activemilitary service under other than dishonorable conditions. Activeservice means full-time service, other than active duty for training,as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, CoastGuard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service,Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast andGeodetic Survey. Generally, men and women veterans with similarservice may be entitled to the same VA benefits.Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courtsmartialmay bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees mustcontact a VA regional office to determine eligibility. VA benefits willnot be provided to any veteran or dependent wanted for an outstandingfelony warrant.Certain VA Benefits Require Wartime ServiceCertain VA benefits require service during wartime. Under the law, VArecognizes these war periods:Mexican Border Period: May 9, 1916, through April 5, 1917, forveterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.World War I: April 6, 1917, through Nov. 11, 1918; for veterans who