Who Is A Veteran

DEFINITION OF A VETERAN TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR MA STATE BENEFITS

According to M.G.L. ch.4 s.7, clause 43 a "veteran" is defined to have either:

  • 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions
  • 90 days of active duty service, one day of which is during "wartime" per the chart which follows, and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions, except for Vietnam I which requires 180 days of active duty service (see chart that follows).

GUARD MEMBERS

For Guard Members to qualify they must have either: 

  • 180 days and have been activated under Title 10 of the U.S. Code and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions
  • Members who were activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 33, sections 38,40, and 41 must have 90 days, at least one of which was during wartime, per the chart which follows. The members' last discharge or release must be under honorable conditions.

For VA purposes a “Veteran” is a person who:

  • Served in the active military, naval or air service, and
  • Was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable

Even though this is the definition of a Veteran per the VA, the eligibility criteria varies from benefit to benefit. Please contact us for specific information regarding the benefits you may be interested in. 

Chart of Definitions for Veteran Status - Per MGL Ch. 4

*Naval and Marine DD214 must indicate Expeditionary Medal. All DD214’s must specify campaign: Lebanon, Granada, or Panama.
     
WW1  6-Apr-1917
11-Nov-1918
 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
PEACETIME 12-Nov-1918
15-Sep-1940
 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
WWII
(Merchant Marine: 7-Dec-1941 through 31-Dec-1946)
  26-Jul-1947
24-Jun-1950
 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
PEACETIME 26-Jul-1947
24-Jun-1950
 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.

KOREA 25-Jun-1950
31-Jan-1955
 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Korean Defense Service Medal 28-Jul-1954
(to be determined later)
 90 days of active duty service, last discharge under honorable conditions and the Korean Defense Service Medal
VIETNAM I 1-Feb-1955
4-Aug-1964
 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
VIETNAM II 5-Aug-1964
7-May-1975
 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
PEACETIME 8-May-1975
1-Aug-1990
 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Lebanon Campaign* 25-Aug-1982
(to be determined later)
 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Grenada Campaign* 25-Oct-1983
15-Dec-1983
 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Panama Campaign* 20-Dec-1989
31-Jan-1990
 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
PERSIAN GULF  2-Aug-1990
(to be determined later)
 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.