Combat Veterans
For those who have witnessed the horrors of war first hand.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
There are NO an actual presumptive conditions!
HOWEVER, by being exposed to combat you have increased likelihood of developing certain conditions!
Common Conditions
PTSD; and
Undocumented Injuries
The VA recognizes that in combat environments it may be impossible to have some injuries properly documented. As such, the VA CAN accept your Personal statement as proof of an in-service event of an injury or Aggravation of a preexisting condition.
Do know that your statement MUST be:
Satisfactory when considered alone (include the when, where, and how);
Consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of your service (records show you were in combat); AND
Factual (seriously do NOT submit fraudulent statements!).
Eligibility
Veterans who have been awarded any of the following badges, devices, ribbons, medals, OR who received combat pay (officially "hostile fire" or "imminent danger" pay).
Badges
Combat Action Badge;
Combat Aircrew Insignia;
Combat Infantryman Badge; and
Combat Medical Badge.
Devices
C Device - on any medal;
Combat Jump Device;
Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia; and
V Device - on any medal.
Medals
Air Force Combat Action Medal;
Air Force Cross;
Army Distinguished Service Cross;
Coast Guard Cross;
Congressional Medal of Honor;
Navy Cross;
Purple Heart; and
Silver Star.
Ribbons
Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon;
Navy Combat Action Ribbon.
Health Care
For those who meet ALL of the following criteria, you are entitled to FREE VA health care for conditions which may be related to your deployment(s) - no matter if the conditions are service-connected or your income level:
You served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998;
You were discharged or released from active service on or after January 29, 2003;
Are within 10 years of discharge, and
You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.
Even if you do not meet all of the above criteria, you very likely still qualify for VA health care, so you should still Apply. Even if you owe a co-pay for something, it is still very affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you are wanting to have things added to your DD214, you will need to submit a records correction request to your branch’s board of corrections.
For more information click HERE.
If your concern is more claim based, then you need to submit evidence showing you were in combat. Simply being deployed is not in and of itself enough to prove you were in combat. Look in your personnel and medical records for things showing you were in combat.
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Sometimes the VBA makes a mistake or they are missing evidence that would indicate you are a combat veteran or even that you deployed. Such as your DD-214 is missing your combat awards/deployment. If this happens, it is strongly recommended that you file an Appeal with supporting evidence.
Additionally,
If there is documentation that during service the Veteran's exposure was due to their own willful misconduct or that after the Veteran's separation there was a supervening condition or event that was more than likely the etiology of the disease, the Veteran may be denied service-connection.