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

And at least one of these must be true:

You got sick or injured while serving in the military—and can link this condition to your illness or injury (called an in-service disability claim), or

You had an illness or injury before you joined the military—and serving made it worse (called a preservice disability claim), or

You have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn’t appear until after you ended your service (called a post-service disability claim)

Presumed disabilities

A chronic (long-lasting) illness that appears within one year after discharge, or

An illness caused by contact with contaminants (toxic chemicals) or other hazardous materials, or

An illness caused by your time spent as a prisoner of war (POW)

Who’s covered?

Veterans

Qualified dependents