Who Qualifies as a Veteran under Iowa Law?

Is there a definition of veteran?

Both federal law and Iowa law have definitions of "veteran." For more information on federal (U.S.) law's definition of veteran, which affects eligibility for federal veterans benefits, visit our page “Who Qualifies as a Veteran under Federal Law?”

Under Iowa Code section 35.1, a person is considered a veteran under Iowa law in any of the following circumstances:

Armed Forces

• A resident of this state who served in the armed forces of the United States during dates and conflicts specified in Iowa Code section 35.1(2)(a)(1)–(13) and who was discharged under honorable conditions.
• Former members of the armed forces of the United States if any portion of their term of enlistment would have occurred during the time period of the Korean Conflict from June 25, 1950, through January 31, 1955, but who instead opted to serve five years in the reserve forces of the United States, as allowed by federal law, and who were discharged under honorable conditions.
• A resident of this state who served on federal active duty, other than training, in the armed forces of the United States and who was discharged under honorable conditions.
• (Starting in July 2024): A resident of this state who served in the armed forces of the United States, has a service-connected disability, and who was discharged under honorable conditions.

Reserve Forces

• Former members of the reserve forces of the United States who served at least twenty years in the reserve forces and who were discharged under honorable conditions.
• A member of the reserve forces of the United States who completed a minimum aggregate of ninety days of federal active duty, other than training, and was discharged under honorable conditions, or was retired under Title 10 of the United States Code.
• Members of the reserve forces of the United States who have served at least twenty years in the reserve forces and who continue to serve in the reserve forces.

Iowa National Guard

• Former members of the Iowa national guard who served at least twenty years in the Iowa national guard and who were discharged under honorable conditions.
• A member of the Iowa national guard who was activated for federal duty, other than training, for a minimum aggregate of ninety days, and was discharged under honorable conditions or was retired under Title 10 of the United States Code.
• Members of the Iowa national guard who have served at least twenty years in the Iowa national guard and who continue to serve in the Iowa national guard.

Other Service

• Former members of the active, oceangoing merchant marines who served during World War II at any time between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive, who were discharged under honorable conditions.
• Former members of the women’s air force service pilots and other people conferred veteran status based on their civilian duties during World War II in accordance with federal Pub. L. No. 95-202, 38 U.S.C. §106.

Where can I get more information and help?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is an agency of the federal government that provides benefits, health care, and cemetery services to military veterans. The VA website has information for veterans and their families and has links to resources. You can find contact information for the VA on this website here. 

The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) provides veterans services through the Benefits Bureau, Iowa Veterans Home, and Iowa Veterans Cemetery. The IDVA website has information for veterans and their families and has links to resources. You can find contact information for a county veteran service office (VSO) here. You can find contact information for national veteran service organizations and nonprofits that serve veterans here. You can find contact information for the IDVA on this website here. 

Iowa Legal Aid is a non-profit agency that provides legal assistance to low-income Iowans. Information and resources for veterans can be found on their website here, and they also host legal clinics for veterans around the state. If you have received a determination that you are not eligible for benefits and believe you should be, Iowa Legal Aid may be able to help you. They can be reached by phone at 800-532-1503 or, for Iowans 60 or older, 800-992-8161.

The American Bar Association offers free legal advice through ABA Free Legal Answers. If you qualify, you can ask legal questions about VA benefits, discharge upgrades, VA debts and overpayments, correcting or ordering military records, military retirement, and VA pension that will be answered by a licensed attorney at no cost to you. To see if you qualify, visit the ABA Free Legal Answers website. You will be asked to answer a few questions to determine if you qualify.

The Iowa State Bar Association may also be able to assist through Iowa Free Legal Answers. If you qualify, you can ask legal questions which will be answered by a licensed attorney at no cost to you. To see if you qualify, visit the Iowa Free Legal Answers website. You will be asked to answer a few questions to determine if you qualify.