Memory Care
Guide to Aid and Attendance
Eligibility Requirements – Wartime Service
First and foremost, a Veteran must have served in active duty for a minimum of 90 days. At least one of those days must have been during a period of war. Veterans also need to have been granted either an honorable discharge or one that’s classified as other than dishonorable. A Veteran need not to have served in a combat role in order to be eligible. The VA defines “period of war” the following way:
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World War II: December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946
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Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955
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Vietnam Era: August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975; for Veterans serving “in country” before that starting date, the period is extended to February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975
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Gulf War: August 2, 1990 – a set date to be determined by Presidential Proclamation or federal law
Gulf War Veterans are a special case, as the conflict as of 2021 is still ongoing. Service requirements for these Veterans is either 24 months or the completion of their active-duty requirement, whichever is met first. If the Veteran is deceased, surviving family members are eligible if the Veteran met those same requirements prior to their death.