Who Is a “Veteran”?—Basic Eligibility for Veterans’ Benefits

"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a broad range of benefits to U.S. Armed Forces veterans and certain members of their families. Among these benefits are various types of financial assistance, including monthly cash payments to disabled veterans, health care, education, and housing. Basic criteria must be met to be eligible to receive any of the benefits administered by the VA.

This report examines the basic eligibility criteria for VA administered veterans’ benefits, including the issue of eligibility of members of the National Guard and reserve components..:
Veteran benefits

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, 2008 ed.
"Veterans of the United States armed forces are eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs(VA). These benefits are legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code. This booklet contains a summary of these benefits effective January 1, 2008. For additional information, visit the VA web site at http://www.va.gov/."