By Larry Dandridge
This article continues the explanation of VA Priority Groups, which is detailed at https://bit.ly/4cLH6Y3.
Priority Group 6
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if all of these descriptions are true:
· The veteran served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998; and
· The veteran was discharged from active duty on or after Oct. 1, 2013; and
· The veteran meets the minimum active-duty service requirement.
Note: The veteran has 10 years of enhanced eligibility from the date of their discharge or release. At the end of this 10-year period, the VA will assign the veteran to the highest priority group they qualify for.
Assignment based on exposure to toxins or other hazards: The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service at home or abroad in any of the ways listed below.
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) while serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were assigned to a duty station (including airspace above) in certain locations during specific periods:
· On or after Aug. 2, 1990, in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates; or
· On or after Sept. 11, 2001, in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, or any other country that VA determines is relevant.
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were deployed in support of any of these:
· Operation Enduring Freedom; or
· Operation Freedom’s Sentinel; or
· Operation Iraqi Freedom; or
· Operation New Dawn; or
· Operation Inherent Resolve; or
· Resolute Support Mission.
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were exposed to ionizing radiation:
· During atmospheric testing; or
· During the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; or
· While conducting cleanup of Enewetak Atoll between Jan. 1, 1977, and Dec. 31, 1980; or
· While participating in onsite response efforts in Palomares, Spain, between Jan. 17, 1966, and March 31, 1967; or
· While participating in onsite response efforts on Thule Air Force Base, Greenland, between Jan. 21, 1968, and Sept. 25, 1968.
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were exposed to Agent Orange and served in any of these locations and times:
· The Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975; or
· Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base between Jan. 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976; or
· Laos between Dec. 1, 1965, and Sept. 30, 1969; or
· Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969; or
· Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off of Guam or American Samoa between Jan. 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980; or
· Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll between Jan. 1, 1972, and Sept. 30, 1977.
Priority Group 7
The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 7 if both of these descriptions are true:
· The veteran’s gross household income is below the geographically adjusted income limits for where he or she lives; and
· The veteran agrees to pay copays. Review “Current VA Health Care Copay Rates” at https://bit.ly/3QJ8oa7.
Priority Group 8
The VA may assign the veteran to Priority Group 8 if both of these descriptions are true:
· The veteran’s gross household income is above VA income limits and geographically adjusted income limits for where the veteran lives; and
· The veteran agrees to pay copays.
Sub-priority Groups
If a veteran is assigned to Priority Group 8, their eligibility for VA health care benefits will depend on the sub-priority group the VA assigns them to.
Sub-priority Group A:All of these must be true:
· The veteran has a non-compensable service-connected condition that the VA rated as 0% disabling; and
· The veteran enrolled in the VA health care program before Jan. 16, 2003; and
· The veteran has remained enrolled since that date and/or was placed in this sub-priority group because the veteran’s eligibility status changed.
Sub-priority Group B: All of these must be true:
- The veteran has a non-compensable service-connected condition that the VA rated as 0% disabling; and
- The veteran enrolled in the VA health care program on or after June 15, 2009; and
- The veteran has income that exceeds current VA or geographical limits by 10% or less
Sub-priority Group C: All of these must be true:
· The veteran does not have a service-connected condition; and
· The veteran enrolled in the VA health care program as of Jan. 16, 2003; and
· The veteran has remained enrolled since that date and/or was placed in this sub-priority group because their eligibility status changed
Sub-priority Group D: All of these must be true:
- The veteran does not have a service-connected condition; and
- The veteran enrolled in the VA health care program on or after June 15, 2009; and
- The veteran has income that exceeds current VA or geographical limits by 10% or less.
A veteran is not eligible for VA health care benefits if the VA places the veteran in one of these sub-priority groups:
Sub-priority group E: All of these must be true:
· The veteran has a non-compensable service-connected condition that we’ve rated as 0% disabling; and
· The veteran does not meet the criteria for sub-Priority Group A or B above.
Note: The veteran is eligible for care for only his or her service-connected condition.
Sub-priority group G:All of these must be true:
· The veteran does not have a service-connected condition; and
· The veteran does not meet the criteria for sub-Priority Group C or D.
VA may change the Veteran’s Priority Group
A veteran’s priority group may change in some cases, such as if the veteran’s income changes, or service-connected disability gets worse, and the VA gives the veteran a higher disability rating. Learn how to update VA health benefits information at https://bit.ly/41TKStB. Learn how to file for disability compensation by making an appointment with your local VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) and at https://bit.ly/4sXSx54.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, a combat and 100% service-connected disabled veteran, an ex-Enlisted Infantryman, an ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and a retired Lt. Colonel. He is a former Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA and Durham VA Medical Centers, a Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the Veteran Benefits Advisor for the AUSA Coastal Carolina Chapter, MOPH Chapter, MOAA Triangle Chapter, and VFW Post 7383. 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.