By Larry Dandridge
This is the final article in a series of six on VSOs, VA Healthcare, the PACT ACT, and VA Priority Groups. You can read more than 270 articles I’ve written for the The Island News on veterans’ benefits, leadership, hospice, and what citizens should know about police officers at https://www.yourislandnews.com. This article will complete the explanation of VA priority groups that began in the last edition of The Island News.
The VA webpage titled “VA Priority Groups” (https://bit.ly/46EKJNy) states:
Priority group 7
The VA may assign the veteran to priority group 7 if both of these descriptions are true for them:
- The veteran’s gross household income is below the geographically adjusted income limits (GMT) for where you live; and
- The veteran agrees to pay copays (See https://bit.ly/47KCkct.)
Priority group 8
The VA may assign a veteran to priority group 8 if both of these descriptions are true for them:
- 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.
If the veteran is assigned to priority group 8, their eligibility for VA health care benefits will depend on the sub-priority group to which the VA assigns them.
A veteran may be eligible for VA health care benefits if the VA places the veteran in one of the following Priority 8 sub-priority groups.
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 an 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 the veteran’s 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 an income that exceeds current VA or geographical limits by 10% or less.
Veterans are “not” eligible for VA health care benefits if the VA places them 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 have rated as 0% disabling; and
- The veteran does not meet the criteria for sub-priority group a or b above.
Note: A veteran is eligible for care for their “service-connected condition only.”
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.
Review the criteria for the priority 8 subgroups
A veteran’s priority group may change in some cases, such as if:
- The veteran’s income changes: or
- The veteran’s service-connected disability gets worse, and the VA awards the veteran a higher disability rating.
Read about “how to update your VA health benefits information” at https://bit.ly/47EENoS. Read about how to file for disability compensation with VA Form 21-526EZ at https://bit.ly/4n3aGfs.
Enhanced Veterans Benefits
If you are currently enrolled or newly enrolled in VA health care, and you served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998, and were discharged from active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, you are eligible for enhanced benefits for 10 years after discharge. During this time, the VA will assign you to priority group 6. At the end of this enhanced enrollment period, the VA assigns you to the highest priority group you qualify for at that time.
The Bottom Line
Veterans should:
- Ask the VA or your VSO to help you enroll in VA Health Care.
- See their VA Primary Care Provider at least once a year to stay enrolled in VA healthcare.
- Put the names of their VA Patient Aligned Care team (PACT) Team (Primary Care Provider (Doctor, PA or NP), RN Care Manager, LPN or Medical Assistant, Administrative Clerk, Social Worker, and Clinical Pharmacist) members’ contact information (phone numbers in their phone, paper records, and perhaps on their refrigerator door).
- Listen to the VA SITREP titled “CHEAT SHEET for VA Health Care Eligibility video (2025), VA’s List of Priority Groups” at https://bit.ly/4nfxk4v.
- Read the information found at the VA webpage “VA Priority Groups”, at https://bit.ly/4mhqtq0.
- Read the information in the “VA Healthcare Benefits Overview 2025 Edition, Volume 1,” found online at https://bit.ly/4gsb6tp.
- Read the information at the VA webpage “How to update Your VA Health Benefits Information” at https://bit.ly/468t2pD.
- Read the Information at the VA webpage “File for Disability Compensation with VA Form 21-526EZ” at https://bit.ly/4mCmkNH and ask their VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to help file for service-connected disability compensation for any service-caused or worsened disabilities (wounds, injuries, illnesses, HAZMAT injuries, traumas, and scars) and other VA services and benefits they are eligible for.
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 book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
