By Larry Dandridge
My article dated Jan. 3, 2024, “Reasons all veterans should enroll in VA healthcare” (https://bit.ly/45V7MU5) and the first four articles in this series covered things that veterans need to know about why all veterans should enroll in VA healthcare, VA-accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs), and the PACT Act. You can read those articles in The Island News’ archives at https://www.yourislandnews.com/ by clicking on click on Military.”
You may now be wondering which VA Priority Group you will fall under after enrolling in VA health care. However, first understand that VA care and priority groups are established by legislation, not the VA. If you believe that more veterans should receive VA healthcare, you should write to your congressional representatives.
VA Priority Groups
The VA webpage “VA Priority Groups” (https://bit.ly/42hmiDj) states that after the VA processes a veteran’s application and the veteran is enrolled in VA health care, the VA assigns the veteran to one of eight priority groups. The veteran’s priority group may affect how much, if anything, the veteran will have to pay toward the cost of their care.
Learn more about VA Priority Groups in:
· The VA’s YouTube video (the SITREP), dated Aug. 22, 2025, narrated by Paul Corbett, “CHEAT SHEET for VA Health Care Eligibility VA’s List of Priority Groups.”
· The Island News article “Veterans Should Know Their VA Priority Group” dated Jan. 5, 2022 (https://bit.ly/4pcCJKT).
VA Health Care costs
The VA webpage “Your Health Care Costs” (https://bit.ly/3IdtWrv) states that the VA is committed to providing free health care for conditions related to military service and for veterans with catastrophic disabilities and disability ratings of at least 50%. The VA states that it is also committed to caring for veterans who cannot afford to pay for their care.
Veterans can get free VA health care for any illness or injury that the VA determines is connected to their military service (“service-connected disability”). The VA also provides certain other services for free, including:
· Readjustment counseling at VA Vet Centers: See https://www.vetcenter.va.gov and The Island News article “What is a Vet Center” from Jan. 10, 2024 (https://bit.ly/3JVlBt6).
· Other mental health services: See https://bit.ly/4gbFjgc and The Island News articles of June 9, 19, 24, and 29 of 2022 (https://bit.ly/3Vsen2t); March 6, 13, 20, of 2024; and Feb. 28, 2024 (https://bit.ly/46gZ7uh) and “PTSD treatment does work,” dated July 5, 2023 (https://bit.ly/46dEK0O).
· Care for issues related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST): See “MST” (https://bit.ly/46dFjI3).
· A registry health exam to determine if you are at risk of health problems linked to your military service: See “Veterans health issues related to service history” (https://bit.ly/46bV4zk).
· Other services: See “Current VA health care copay rates” (https://bit.ly/45XA4xn).
The PACT Act is a new law that expands access to VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. The law provides generations of veterans and their survivors with care and benefits they have earned. Veterans may also be eligible for additional free VA health care based on factors such as their disability rating, service history, or income.
Alternatively, they may qualify for care but need to pay a copayment for certain types of care, tests, and medications used to treat conditions unrelated to their service.
Factors used to assign veterans to a priority group
The VA bases a veteran’s priority group on:
· The veteran’s military service history;
· The veteran’s disability rating;
· The veteran’s income level;
· Whether or not the veteran qualifies for Medicaid; and
· Other benefits that the veteran may be receiving (like VA pension benefits).
The VA assigns veterans with service-connected disabilities the highest priority. The VA assigns the lowest priority to veterans who earn a higher income and do not have any service-connected disabilities that qualify them for monthly disability compensation. If the veteran qualifies for more than one priority group, the VA will assign them to the higher group.
Priority Group 1
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 1 if “any” of these descriptions is true. The veteran:
- Has a service-connected disability that is VA-rated as 50% or more disabling;
- Has a service-connected disability that the VA concluded makes them unemployable; or
- Received the Medal of Honor.
Priority Group 2
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 2 if the veteran has a service-connected disability that the VA rated as 30% or 40% disabling.
Priority Group 3
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 3 if “any” of these descriptions is true. The veteran:
- Is a former prisoner of war (POW);
- Received the Purple Heart medal;
- Was discharged for a disability that was caused by, or got worse because of, the veteran’s active-duty service;
- Has a service-connected disability that the VA rated as 10% or 20% disabling; or
- Was awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C. § 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation.”
Priority Group 4
The VA may assign you to Priority Group 4 if “either” of these descriptions is true. The veteran:
- Is receiving VA aid and attendance or housebound benefits; or
- Has received a VA determination of being catastrophically disabled.
Priority Group 5
The VA may assign you to Priority Group 5 if any of these descriptions are true. The veteran:
- Does not have a service-connected disability, or you have a non-compensable service-connected disability that we’ve rated as 0% disabling, and the veteran has an annual income level that is below the VA’s adjusted income limits (based on your resident zip code);
- Is receiving VA pension benefits; or
- Is eligible for Medicaid programs.
Priority Group 6
Assignment based on disability rating or general service history. The VA may assign the veteran to Priority Group 6 if “any” of these descriptions is true. The veteran:
- Has a compensable service-connected disability that the VA rated as 0% disabling;
- Participated in Project 112/SHAD;
- Served in World War II between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946;
- Served in the Persian Gulf War between Aug. 2, 1990, and Nov. 11, 1998; or
- Served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.
Continued next week — this series has been extended to six articles.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is also the author of the award-winning Blades of Thunder (Book One) and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
