What disqualifies you from VA benefits?

Asked by: Bud Abbott  |  Last update: July 3, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (35 votes)

absence without official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period of 180 days or more, without compelling circumstances to warrant such prolonged unauthorized absence (as determined by VA). This means that if an individual is discharged for any of the above reasons, the law prohibits VA from providing any benefits.

What can disqualify you from VA benefits?

These include:
  • Dishonorable discharge. A Veteran who has met the active service requirement still won't be eligible for benefits if he or she has received a dishonorable discharge. ...
  • Willful misconduct. Willful misconduct is behavior that involves conscious wrongdoing or a known prohibited action.

Why would a veteran be denied VA benefits?

VA Needs Evidence to Approve Your Claim

If you're a veteran with a disability, you may wonder why your benefits claim was denied. The answer is simple: the VA needs evidence to approve your claim. To verify that you are eligible for these benefits, you must submit medical records and other supporting documents.

Can you make too much money to receive VA benefits?

Can you make too much money to qualify for VA medical benefits? In 2021, the VA National Income Thresholds were as follows: $34616 or less if you have no dependents. $41539 or less if you have one dependent. $43921 or less if you have two dependents.

What can cause you to lose your VA benefits?

VA benefits may be reduced if there is sustained improvement of a disability, failure to attend routine future exams, failure to return dependency questionnaires (sent every 8 years), and/or failure to return yearly verification of unemployability for those rated for Individual Unemployability (IU).

VA Disability Compensation, Drug & Alcohol Use: Can You Get VA Benefits?

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Can your VA benefits be taken away?

3.957 in the VA code of regulations, the VA cannot sever your benefits for service connected disability if it's been in effect for 10 or more years. The only exceptions would be if you obtained VA disability benefits fraudulently, were dishonorably discharged, or didn't complete requisite service.

What illness automatically qualifies for disability?

It includes:
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain.
  • Special Senses and Speech, such as blindness and hearing loss.
  • Respiratory Disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and respiratory failure.
  • Cardiovascular System, such as hypertension and heart disease.

Can you be denied VA benefits because of your income?

Some Veterans are eligible for VA health care no matter their income. You may be eligible based on your VA disability rating, service history, or other factors. If you think you may be eligible, we encourage you to apply anytime. Review health care eligibility factors.

What are the income restrictions for VA benefits?

In 2021, the VA National Income Thresholds were as follows: $34,616 or less if you have no dependents. $41,539 or less if you have one dependent. $43,921 or less if you have two dependents.

What are the new VA rules for 2024?

As of March 5, 2024, all Veterans who meet the basic service and discharge requirements and who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care--including all Veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Gulf War, and any other combat zone after 9/11.

What veterans are not eligible for VA benefits?

If you're a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard. You must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don't qualify for VA health care.

Does having a DD214 make you a veteran?

Military Veterans and Reserve Components

As a veteran, or part-time National Guard or Reservist, you satisfy those conditions with your DD Form 214 showing the dates of your military service, or a current military ID card if still on active duty or a member of the National Guard and Reserves.

What disabilities can the VA not prove?

No, there aren't any VA disability claims that cannot be proven. In fact, all VA claims must be proven on an “at least as likely as not” basis. If you have no evidence (no proof), your VA claim will be denied. Also, you must first ensure you're even eligible for VA disability benefits under the law.

Why would someone be denied VA benefits?

VA denies claims when the care was not preauthorized, and the Veteran does not meet eligibility requirements for emergency care. VA rejects claims that cannot be paid or denied due to billing errors or the need for additional information.

Does the VA check your income?

As an enhanced benefit, VA will obtain Veterans' most recent financial information through computer matching agreements obtained from the IRS and SSA to verify Veterans' household income. Veterans will only be contacted if clarification is needed regarding the financial information.

What is the 70-40 rule for VA disability?

You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, or. You have 2 or more service-connected disabilities, with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more.

How do I determine if I am eligible for VA benefits?

You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements. Both of these must be true: You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and. You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

Can you make too much money to get VA health benefits?

Some Veterans are eligible for VA health care no matter their income. You may be eligible based on your VA disability rating, service history, or other factors. If you think you may be eligible, we encourage you to apply anytime. Review health care eligibility factors.

What is the VA 10 year rule?

The ten-year rule says that the VA cannot revoke a veteran's disability rating if they have had it for a decade or more. That means that the VA has to offer the vet some level of benefits, although there are limited exceptions. Also, the ten-year rule is a moot point for a subset of veterans' disability claims.

What conditions automatically qualify you for VA disability?

At the current time, most veterans that are awarded benefits are for conditions like PTSD, diabetes, migraines, spinal and orthopedic conditions, unstable or painful scars, sleep apnea, hypertensive vascular disease, hernias, dermatitis, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

Can I lose VA disability if I make too much money?

Spending on the program may be a scaled benefit or you may lose your benefit all together if your income surpasses a certain threshold. VA benefits do not work like this. Currently, all VA benefits do not undergo any sort of means testing. In other words, regardless of income, your benefit will not change.

Do all US Veterans get free healthcare?

If a Veteran has health insurance, it may cover the cost of co pays. VA will provide combat Veterans free medical care for any illness possibly associated with service during a period of hostility for five years from the Veteran's release from active duty. All Veterans are Potentially Eligible.

What are the most approved disabilities?

Overall, however, the most approved disability for Social Security is disabilities involving the musculoskeletal system and/or connective tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such conditions include arthritis, back pain, and lupus.

Which conditions do not count as a disability?

If you struggle with the use of alcohol, nicotine or any other drug, you usually won't be considered disabled under the Equality Act.

What gives 100% disability?

The 100 percent disability rating is often awarded to veterans with two or more limbs that have been amputated or paralyzed or for veterans with active service-related diseases such as cancer, severe cardiac conditions, or psychiatric conditions such as PTSD, bipolar, depression, or schizophrenia.