Eligibility for VA disability benefits 
Review VA disability benefits eligibility criteria to find out if you can get disability compensation for an illness or injury that was caused by or got worse because of your active military service. Compensation may include financial support and other benefits like health care. 

Am I eligible for VA disability compensation? 
You may be able to get VA disability benefits or compensation if you have a current illness or injury known as a condition that affects your body or mind and you meet at least one of the requirements listed below. Both of these must be true. You: Served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, and Have a disability rating for your service - connected condition And at least one of these must be true. You: Got sick or injured while serving in the military and can link this condition to your illness or injury called an inservice disability claim , or Had an illness or injury before you joined the military and serving made it worse called a preservice disability claim , or Have a disability related to your active - duty service that didn t appear until after you ended your service called a postservice disability claim 

Presumed disabilities 
A chronic long - lasting illness that appears within one year after discharge , or An illness caused by contact with contaminants toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials , or An illness caused by your time spent as a prisoner of war POW 

Who s covered? 
Veterans Qualified dependents 

What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge? 
If you ve received one of these discharge statuses , you may not be eligible for VA disability benefits. There are 2 ways you can try to qualify : Find out how to apply for a discharge upgradeLearn about the VA Character of Discharge review process 

What conditions are covered by these benefits? 
You may be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions s

user: I want to know if I qualify for VA disability benefits, please.

assistant: Of course. You should review the VA disability benefits eligibility criteria to find out if you can get disability compensation for an illness or injury that was caused by or got worse because of your active military service.

user: Do you offer healthcare as well?

assistant: Yes, the compensation may include financial support and other benefits like health care.

user: Ah, that sounds great. And how do I know if I qualify for it?

assistant: Did you serve on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training?

user: Yes, I served on active duty. I fought for my country, God bless America!

assistant: Do you have a disability rating for your service-connected condition?

user: No, I don't have that.

assistant: In that case, I'm afraid that you can't get VA disability benefits or compensation.

user: I would have caught a bullet for my country, let me tell you that. And what did I get for that? Nothing in return. I even got a dishonorable discharge for something really minor. Can I get benefits for a dishonorable discharge?

assistant: Have you received a dishonorable discharge then?

user: Yes, that's what I've been telling you. It ain't fair.

assistant: In that case, I'm afraid you may not be eligible for VA disability benefits.