Wartime Service Dates for Certain Federal Veterans Affairs Benefits

Some VA benefits and medical care require wartime service. As specified in law, VA recognizes these war periods:

Mexican Border  - May 9,1916 through April 5, 1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters

World War I - April 6, 1917 through November 11, 1918; for veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 1917 through April 1, 1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918

World War II - December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946.  If the veteran was in service on December 31, 1946, continuous seervice before July 26, 1947 is considered WWII service.

Korean Conflict - June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955

Vietnam  - August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961 for Veterans who served "in county" up to August 5, 1964 - this applies to certain Federal benefits only) and ending May 7, 1975. 

Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan - August 2, 1990 through a future date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Updated:  08/09/06