VA Disability Benefits for National Guard and Reservists

Service as a traditional reservist or National Guard member is not Active Duty Service and does not adequately establish Veteran status, which is defined in 38 CFR 3.1(d). National Guard and Reserve members are still eligible for VA disability compensation even though they do not meet Veteran status. This service, which includes performing one period of weekend drill monthly and two weeks of training every year, is referred to as IADT and ADT.

Characteristics of National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers

The US Military Force is approximately 2,083,100 personnel. Why this is important to know? The majority (61.5%) are full-time active service members. The National Guard and Reserve Forces, considered part-time service members, make up 801,200 (38.5%) of this number. There is a huge pool of Veterans needing assistance for a service-connected disability.

National Guard members must conduct the same training as their Active Duty counterparts. This puts National Guard members at the same risk for exposure as Active Duty service members.

Traditional National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers can apply for VA disability benefits before separation/retirement, which means they can receive immediate health care at the VA.

Bottom line: National Guard and Reserve Forces have earned the right to receive VA benefits

ce as a traditional reservist or National Guard member is not active service and does not adequately establish Veteran status, which is defined in 38 CFR 3.1(d). However, National Guard and Reservists are still eligible for VA benefits even though they do not meet Veteran status. This service, which includes performing one period of weekend drill monthly and two weeks of training every year, is referred to as IADT and ADT.

Characteristics of National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers

The US Military Force is approximately 2,083,100 personnel. Why this is important to know? The National Guard and Reserve Forces make up 801,200 of this number (38.5%). There is a huge pool of Veterans needing assistance.

National Guard members must conduct the same training as their Active Duty counterparts. This puts National Guard members at the same risk for exposure as Active Duty members.

Traditional National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers can apply for VA disability benefits before separation/retirement, which means immediate health care at the VA.

Bottom line: National Guard and Reserve Forces have earned the right to receive VA benefits.

Can National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers Receive VA Disability Benefits?

Many National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers question if they are eligible for VA disability benefits from the VA. The short answer is yes, but certain criteria must be met. For the purpose of establishing entitlement to VA benefits, Veteran status may be established based upon active duty training (ADT) or inactive duty training (IADT) under certain circumstances..

Disability Benefits for National Guard and Reservists

Benefits available to National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers include:

• VA Disability / Pension Compensation
• VA Health Care
  • Servicemembers are eligible for 5 years of treatment at VA Health Care Facilities (180 days free dental) after deployment to combat zone
• Traditional National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers can apply for VA disability benefits before separation/retirement

Your Status and How It Relates to Benefits

National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers have different statuses, which can impact their eligibility for benefits. There are:

1. Active Guard and Reserve (AGR): Recognized as active duty for consideration for VA disability benefits.
2. Federal Technician: This is not a type of qualifying service. These Veterans can receive benefits for injuries/disabilities that occurred during ADT or IADT. However, they are not eligible for injuries that occurred while working as a federal technician.
3. Traditional Servicemember: These members should have unit orders for Annual Training. These Veterans can receive VA disability benefits for injuries/disabilities that occurred during ADT or IADT, even though no DD 214s (discharge papers that show proof of military service) are generated for this duty.
4. State Active Duty: These members are on State Active Duty Orders but are not eligible for benefits for injuries sustained performing duties. An example would be Hurricane Relief, Flood Duty, Search and Rescue, etc.
5. Title 10: These Veterans are entitled to VA disability compensation benefits when they are under order of the president. This order should generate a DD 214.

Finding Evidence of Your Duty Status

Servicemembers injured during IDT or ADT need to show evidence of duty status, which is usually a Line of Duty form (DD 261). Substitute for orders can be a Paystub (LES) documenting period of service, official order directing the member to a period of service, service treatment records documenting injury occurred during service, or NGB 23A, which is a retirement point document showing dates of training/duty.

Service records can most often be located with the State’s Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA).

VA Regional offices should attempt to obtain required records/information from the appropriate State Adjutants General Office before sending a request to the National Guard Bureau. This often does not happen, so reaching out to the TAA can prove ben

Servicemembers injured during IDT or ADT need to show evidence of duty status, which is usually a Line of Duty form (DD 261). Substitute for orders can be a Paystub (LES) documenting the period of service, an official order directing the member to a period of service, service treatment records documenting injury that occurred during service, or NGB 23A, which is a retirement point document showing dates of training/duty.

Service records can most often be located with the State’s Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA).

VA Regional offices should attempt to obtain required records/information from the appropriate State Adjutants General Office before sending a request to the National Guard Bureau. This often does not happen, so reaching out to the TAA can prove beneficial.

Call Us Today

If you are a National Guard or Reserve Veteran who has been denied disability benefits, we can help. Call our team today to schedule a free case evaluation and take the next step in getting the VA benefits you deserve.