Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998, are eligible for an extended period of eligibility for health care, and the PACT Act, signed into law in 2022, extended eligibility from five to 10 years post-discharge for conditions related to service in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Under the enhanced eligibility, the VA provides health care services and community living care for any condition possibly related to the veteran's service in a combat theater. The VA will automatically enroll the veteran in Priority Group 6, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group.
For details on healthcare priority groups see our VA Healthcare: Priority Groups page.
Who is Eligible for the Combat Veteran Expanded Health Care Eligibility?
Veterans, including activated reservists and members of the National Guard, are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998, and have been discharged under other-than-dishonorable conditions.
The 10-year enrollment period begins when the veteran left the service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.
Documentation Used to Determine Service in a Theater of Combat Operations
- Military service documentation that reflects service in a combat theater, or
- Receipt of combat service medals, and/or
- Receipt of combat tax exemption, imminent danger or hostile fire pay
Benefits and Copays
Combat veterans who enroll in VA health care under enhanced eligibility receive VA medical care and medications for conditions potentially related to combat service.
They do not have to pay copays for conditions potentially related to their combat service.
However, they may have to disclose their prior year's gross household income if they wish to receive free medical care for conditions that are not related to their military service. If they do not, they may have to make a copay.
What Happens After the Enhanced Eligibility Period Ends?
Combat veterans who enroll with VA under this authority will continue to be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends. At the end of their enhanced eligibility period, they may be shifted to a lower priority group depending on their individual situation, and they may be required to make applicable copays.
What Happens to Combat Veterans Who Do Not Enroll During the Enhanced Authority Period?
For combat veterans who do not enroll during their enhanced eligibility period, eligibility for enrollment and subsequent care is based on other factors, such as a compensable service-connected disability or their financial circumstances. For this reason, combat veterans are strongly encouraged to apply for enrollment within their enhanced eligibility period, even if no medical care is currently needed.
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