I was wondering to lose this benefit? I received this Certificate about 7 years ago and when i went to renew it i was deined. I was Army Reserve (6 years with Honorable Discharge). They state that the laws or rules have changed and that there were alot of these given out that shouldn't have. Can someone direct me to someone or some place that can help? I'm looking to buy a home real soon. Thanks

I hope this pertains to your circumstance.

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/elig2.htm

Selected Reserves or National Guard

If you are not otherwise eligible and you have completed a total of 6 years in the Selected Reserves or National Guard (member of an active unit, attended required weekend drills and 2-week active duty for training) and

* Were discharged with an honorable discharge, or
* Were placed on the retired list, or
* Were transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after service characterized as honorable service, or
* Continue to serve in the Selected Reserves

Individuals who completed less than 6 years may be eligible if discharged for a service-connected disability.

The Eligibility list is quite confusing. However if you have served active duty during Iraqui freedom with 90 days active at least, my assumption is that you can qualify.

If you look at the 'Gulf War - Service during period 8/2/1990 to date yet to be determined'

To be determined includes the Iraqi freedom part. They did the same clause for Naturalization. So if someone has served during enduring freedom i.e starting 2003, and served 90 days active, they are eligible for VA. Iraqi Freedom is part of Gulf War.

Please someone correct me if this startement is wrong.

If they are reservists or in the guard they will have to have served 90 days in a combat zone in order to qualify.

So when you request your certificate of eligibility what do you need apart from dd-214 showing dates that you served active under 'period gulf war aka iraqi freedom' ?

Since it's what's called 'Served under a period of conflict' and the dd-214 says 'released from active duty' with honorable discharge.

I am very confused. My husband and I have applied for a VA loan. Everything was great we passed underwriting with flying colors. The only thing we were waiting on was eligibility to be issued. My husband served from 91 to 93. We were very surprised today when we discovered he was denied the gratuity because he was discharged 13 days early. The VA stated we could appeal, but lord knows how long that will take. The only reason he was DC'd early was because his ship returned early and they were going to decommission the ship upon arrival. No one mentioned his benefits would be affected. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

The appeal process can go as quickly as a day if all your ducks are in a row and you have all the paperwork handy. First of which would be a letter of explanation about the discharge and the ship decommissioning. It doesn't sound like he was offered an early out deal so it should be a no brainer for VA to slam it through. Have your loan officer contact the VA Regional Loan Center that covers the state you are buying the property in to get the appeal started.

Paul
See my profile for contact information

THANK YOU!!!!..I did exactly as you said, we recieved our Eligibility in less than 24 hours. The title co. just called and we are closing tommorrow.
Your advise really saved us! We were about to restructure the loan to an FHA, (higher intrest rates, and 3% down $6500) which would have wiped me out!