Who qualifies as a veteran for VA compensation purposes? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources.
Details / How it works
Under 38 CFR 3.1(d), a veteran is defined as a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. The regulation specifically extends the term to include a person who died in active service for compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation purposes, provided the death was not due to willful misconduct.
The definition encompasses service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, along with their Reserve components.
Numbers & thresholds
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Service type | Active military, naval, air, or space service |
| Discharge status | Conditions other than dishonorable |
| Compensation/DIC exception | Death not due to willful misconduct |
| Applicable branches | Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard (including Reserve components) |
Exceptions & edge cases
For survivors pension purposes, the term veteran includes a person who died in active service under conditions which preclude payment of service-connected death benefits, provided the person had completed at least 2 years of honorable military, naval, air, or space service, as certified by the Secretary concerned, per 38 CFR 3.1(d)(2).
Sources
- [1]U.S. Government Publishing Office / Department of Veterans Affairs — 38 CFR 3.1 — Definitions for VA compensation and pension benefits · as of 2026-08-27
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