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In 1996 Congress passed the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act, which was designed to simplify the process of determining benefit eligibility.

When applying for benefits, the first thing that happens is the eligibility of the Veteran. Next, a determination is made as to which of the 7 priority groups they will be assigned.

Priority Group 1:

A 50% or greater service related disability.

Priority Group 2:

A 30% to 40% service related disability.

Priority Group 3:

  • Former POWs.
  • A disability that incurred or was aggravated in the line of duty.
  • Special eligibility under Title 38, U.S.C., Section 1151 (benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation).

Priority Group 4:

  • Veterans receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits.
  • Veterans Administration has determined Veteran is Catastrophically Disabled (Individuals who have a severely disabling injury, disorder, or disease which permanently compromises their ability to carry out the activities of daily living to such a degree that they require personal or mechanical assistance to leave home or bed or require constant supervision to avoid physical harm to self or others.)

Priority Group 5:

Veterans with 0% disability whose annual income and net worth are below a specified amount.

Priority Group 6:

Veterans not required to make C0-payments for their care, including:

  • WWI and Mexican Border War veterans.
  • Veterans with disabilities resulting from exposure to toxic substances, radiation or for disorders associated with service in the Gulf War; or for any illness associated with service in combat in a war after the Gulf War or during a period of hostility after November 11, 1998.
  • Compensable (A veteran who has been rated by VA as being service-connected and who receives monetary benefit.) 0% service-connected veterans

Priority Group 7:

Nonservice-connected veterans and Compensable (A veteran who has been rated by VA as being service-connected and who receives monetary benefit.) 0% service-connected veterans whose needed care cannot be provided by enrolling in any of the groups above and who agree to pay specified co-payment.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Donald B. July 9, 2012, 10:45 pm

    Microwave non-ionizing radiation exposure ICD-9-CM-E926.0 Radiofrequency Radiation Overexposure to: Title 38 U.S.C. does not recognize microwave non-ionizing radiation.

    Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Misrepresentation of Science: “6. Service connection for ionizing radiation by “heavy ground radar” affecting whole body”. Radar does not emit Ionizing Radiation. Radar emits microwave non-ionizing radiation which causes injury, disability, and death.

  • David M. July 23, 2013, 2:13 am

    What does moderation mean? Another denial for a clerk’s determination or what? I also tried to apply for some employment with the VA to help support myself and was told I did not qualify. Yet and still when I go to the VA hospital in Georgia, I see many people working there that are probably not American citizens or possibly did not even serve in the US military at all. Again it must be because of my classification of 8, my age or something.