The two main organizations set the qualifications for Vietnam veteran status. These are the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).
Organizations
The VA offers benefits to members of the military and discharged service personnel. Veterans' dependents as well as deceased veterans' spouses and children are also covered. The VVA recognizes former members of the military who served during the Vietnam War era as eligible for membership in the organization.
Time Frame
The VVA considers Feb. 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, as the Vietnam War period. Military veterans who served during that time can join the organization. The VA recognizes the same time frame.
Location
To be considered for VVA membership, veterans must have served in what is now the Republic of Vietnam. Presumably to cover those who served in nearby countries and in support roles elsewhere, the VVA states that having served in any duty location starting Aug. 5, 1964, and ending May 7, 1975, grants eligibility.
Duty Status
Only Vietnam veterans who were active-duty members of the military can join the VVA. However, this definition is broad and includes anyone who was in-country for any reason other than training.
Counseling
The VA offers counseling programs for Vietnam veterans who were active-duty members of the military between Feb. 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975.
Allies
The VA and VVA focus on U.S. veterans. Australia is an example of an allied nation that recognizes its Vietnam veterans. It uses the time frame May 23, 1962, to April 29, 1975.
References
- VA Introduction
- VVA Application
- Counseling Eligibility
- The Vietnam War. “How Much Did the Vietnam War Cost?” Accessed Feb. 11, 2020.
- Central Intelligence Agency. “Economic Intelligence Report: A Comparison of the Economies of North and South Vietnam,” Accessed Feb. 11, 2020.
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- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Veterans’ Diseases Associated with Agent Orange,” Accessed Feb. 11, 2020.
- ProPublica. “Long List of Agent Orange Decisions Awaits VA in 2017,” Accessed Feb. 11, 2020.
- KTVO. “History Shows Costs of U.S. Wars Linger for More Than 100 Years,” Accessed Feb. 11, 2020.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Agent Orange Settlement Fund,” Accessed Feb. 11, 2020.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Ischemic Heart Disease and Agent Orange,” Accessed Feb. 11, 2020.
- The National Bureau of Economic Research. “The Great Inflation: The Rebirth of Modern Central Banking,” Accessed Feb. 10, 2020.
- Living History Farm. "The Vietnam War," Accessed Feb. 19, 2020.
- The Vietnam War. "How did the Vietnam War Affect America?" Accessed Feb. 19, 2020.
- History. "Gulf of Tonkin Resolution," Accessed Feb. 19, 2020.
- The Vietnam War. "My Lai Massacre," Accessed Feb. 19, 2020.
- History. "Kent State Shooting," Accessed Feb. 19, 2020.
- History. "U.S. Bombs Cambodia for the First Time," Accessed Feb. 19, 2020.
- History. "Watergate Scandal," Accessed Feb. 19, 2020.
Resources
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