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Did he serve during wartime, even if he remained stateside? Does he have any service connected disabilities? Was he honorably discharged? When did he serve?
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YES!!!!! YES!!!!! YES!!!!!

There is nothing said about having to have served during wartime or overseas. The biggest problem is President Bush decided that there should be an income ceiling - stupid!

However, there are ways to get him into the VA system. Start by finding the VA Advocate - there should be one somewhere near you.

Ask other veterans, someone will have a name and phone number.

And believe it or not, even dishonorably discharged can sometimes be eligible. It never hurts or costs just to ask.
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Contrary to the above answer from Raylin, I've been told that the Veteran must have been in the Korean and/or Vietnam wars or been exposed to Agent Orange. Call the VA. They will give you the parameters for being able to seek aid. The MOST important document will be the service member's DD214. That is CRUCIAL.
Best of luck!
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Clarifying my response: My inquiry was in regards to a surviving spouse. VA benefits for retired military may be completely different. I was seeking Pension benefits for my disabled mother, who is a widow. They do a thorough check of finances and factor in the need for medical aid and attendance.
Thanks-
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I've been told by several veterans benefits experts that you need to have served in wartime to be eligible for Aid & Attendance, but you don't need to have deployed overseas
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Do NOT use the term "Agent Orange"
There are other chemicals that were used, Agent Orange is just 1. If you say the problems that are now diagnosed were due to "Agent Orange" and the Vet never was exposed to Agent Orange but another chemical that may invalidate benefits.
Instead of the term "Agent Orange" use the term "Agent Rainbow" this will include all other chemical agents that the Vet may have been exposed to.
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To determine if a Veteran is eligible for benefits contact the VA or contact a local Veterans Commission Office and have them do some research for you. This costs nothing and if there are papers that are needed that you do not have they can help get them for you before you contact the VA. This can expedite things. There is NO charge at the Veterans Commission Office. There are some companies that do the same thing and may charge you but paying for this service is unnecessary.
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Kristen3: As far as surviving spouse obtaining benefits, I was told in order to get benefits other funeral expenses for the veteran, that the veteran would have to have been injured or KIA.
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Wow. Seems that everyone has been told or heard differing qualifiers for aged veterans to receive a, some, any benefits.

I’d recommend getting your answers straight from the source. Start with your local Veterans Administration - if they can’t help, they ought to be able to point you in the right direction to an appropriate agency/commission who can get you accurate answers.
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There are many factors that may determine eligibility. What are his health issues? Was he ever stationed at Camp LeJeune? There are many organizations to help answer your questions but you need at least his DD-214. I was lucky enough to find all the bases of assignment for my stepfather using Ancestry.com.
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Not true Kristen3.
Neither my dad nor my DH seved in Korea, Vietnam and never were exposed to Agent Orange.
Both were WWII veterans and my DH has been receiving benefits for about 25 years now. My dad received until he passed in 2011.

Ok, I see how you "sort of" changed your answer.

The Veteran is entitled to benefits - but sometimes you must fight for them. Closed Enrollment and Pres Bush putting a ceiling on income doesn't help. But the veteran can show up at the VA- E.R. and sit there until they take him/her. Once in the system, he will be eligible for all applicable benefits. My walking buddy is a navy veteran and has seen this happen and every single time, the veteran is not turned away.

Again I say, find a VA Advocate - they are in all major cities and even 'minor' cities.  We actually have one in my small town of 1500 but he's only available one day a week.  Ask Ask Ask.

If you cannot locate your VA Advocate - use the National Organization of Veteran Advocates:
https://vetadvocates.org/
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My mother receives Aid and Attendance from the VA. She qualified for this because my father was in active service during active war time. He did not see any combat that was not a requirement. Many forms of paper work is required. It helps to have assistance when applying so you don't have delays.
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If you Dad was not in the service during wartime your Mom does not qualify for Aid and Attendance. He had to be in during WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. His military paperwork should show the years he served.
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Just adding that your father didn't have to fight during these Wars just had to be in the service during those wars.
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overwhelmed2237: A "DD214" is a separation/discharge document. a241529 mentioned it, but you may not have known what it stood for.
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A friend of mine has worked at the VA for a long time and she told me that in order for a veteran to qualify for benefits, they must have served in the military and be on active duty in a war. I am not sure about benefits for survivors, so it would be best if you could either call or visit a VA hospital to get first hand info.
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My answer assumes that your dad is not service connected disabled and does not carry a rating from the VA nor is he receiving a monthly payment now from the VA. The Korea time frame by legal proclamation is 6.27.50 - 1.31.55. If your dad had any active duty during this time frame, then it is worth looking at non-service connected pension plus aid and attendance if he is starting to need care. If he has -0- care needs then pursuing this benefit would not be worthy until at which time you can produce the medical evidence required that he needs care. Be advised that the when it comes to this benefit the care needs are very narrowly defined. Your dad did not have to be in Korea for his service - his active duty could have been stateside his entire active duty enlistment.
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