Task Force
Presentations & Notes
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Section I. Existing Criteria for Identification
Section II. What is a DD-214 Section III. Tom Briggs Presentation Section IV. Section V. |
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Section I - Existing criteria used to identify a U.S. Veteran
To qualify for burial in a national cemetery, such as Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota, and to access Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, specific eligibility criteria must be met. These criteria are established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration and federal regulations. Below is a detailed breakdown of the criteria for burial in a national cemetery and general VA benefits eligibility, based on federal guidelines.
Criteria for Burial in a National Cemetery
Eligibility for burial in a national cemetery, including Fort Snelling, is outlined in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and managed by the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. The following groups are generally eligible for burial:
1. Veterans with Qualifying Service:
• Discharge Status: Must have been discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable (e.g., honorable or general under honorable conditions). Dishonorable discharges typically disqualify individuals.
• Service Requirements: Any period of active military service, including:
• Active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force.
• Active duty for training (if the individual was disabled or died during that training due to injury or disease).
• Inactive duty training (if the individual was disabled or died from an injury incurred during that training).
• Service in the National Guard or Reserves, if called to active duty by federal orders for purposes other than training, or if they completed a full term of service in the Selected Reserve.
• Minimum Service: No minimum length of service is required for most veterans, but those who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty, unless they were discharged for hardship or disability.
2. Specific Eligible Groups:
• Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service or NOAA: Those who served on full-time duty as commissioned officers in the Public Health Service (after June 30, 1960) or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or its predecessor, after June 30, 1961).
• World War II Merchant Mariners: Those with recognized service under Public Law 95-202.
• Spouses and Dependents:
• A veteran’s spouse, surviving spouse (who has not remarried, unless the remarriage was terminated by death or divorce), or minor children (under 21, or under 23 if in school, or disabled before age 18).
• Dependent parents of veterans who died in service or from service-connected conditions.
• Others: Certain civilians who provided direct support to the armed forces during specific periods (e.g., American Civilian Internees during World War II).
3. Documentation:
• Eligibility is verified using a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or equivalent military records. For spouses or dependents, proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate) is required.
• Pre-need eligibility determinations can be requested through VA Form 40-10007 to confirm eligibility in advance.
4. Exclusions:
• Individuals discharged dishonorably, convicted of subversive activities, or who died while committing a federal or state crime (e.g., as a fugitive) are typically ineligible.
• Burial space must be available; however, national cemeteries like Fort Snelling often accommodate both casket and cremation burials (in-ground or columbarium).
5. Burial Benefits:
• Eligible veterans and their qualifying family members receive a burial space, headstone or marker, perpetual care, and military honors at no cost. Cremated remains can be interred in a columbarium or scattered in designated areas, if available.
• The VA provides a headstone or marker, even for veterans buried in private cemeteries, if requested.
Criteria for General VA Benefits
VA benefits (e.g., health care, disability compensation, education, home loans, pension) have distinct eligibility criteria, but they share some overlap with burial eligibility. Key requirements include:
1. Veteran Status:
• Must meet the same discharge criteria (other than dishonorable) and have served in active military, naval, air, or space service.
• Minimum service requirements (e.g., 24 months for post-1980 enlistees) apply for certain benefits like education (GI Bill) or pensions, unless discharged early for disability or hardship.
2. Service-Connected Conditions:
• Disability Compensation: Requires a current disability linked to an injury or illness incurred or aggravated during active service. Veterans must provide medical evidence and service records.
• Health Care: Eligibility depends on service history, income, and sometimes disability status. Priority groups are assigned based on factors like service-connected disabilities, income levels, or special designations (e.g., Purple Heart recipients).
3. Specific Benefits:
• Education (GI Bill): Requires active duty service after specific dates (e.g., Post-9/11 GI Bill requires 90 days of service after September 10, 2001). Reservists may qualify under certain conditions.
• Home Loans: Veterans with qualifying service (e.g., 90 days wartime, 181 days peacetime) and sufficient credit/income are eligible for VA-backed loans.
• Pension: Available to wartime veterans with limited income, who served at least 90 days (including one day during a wartime period), and meet age or disability criteria.
4. Documentation:
• DD-214 or equivalent is required to verify service. Additional documentation (e.g., medical records, income statements) may be needed depending on the benefit.
5. Special Considerations:
• National Guard and Reserve members may qualify if they served on active duty or were injured during training.
• Certain benefits extend to surviving spouses, dependents, or parents, particularly for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if a veteran’s death was service-connected.
Minnesota-Specific Context
For Minnesota veterans, Fort Snelling National Cemetery follows the above national criteria. The state’s veterans cemeteries (Little Falls, Preston, Duluth, Redwood Falls) align with VA standards, requiring a DD-214 for verification and offering similar no-cost burial benefits for veterans, spouses, and eligible dependents. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) assists with eligibility verification and applications, ensuring access to both state and federal benefits.
Sources and Verification
• Federal Regulations: Title 38 CFR, Sections 38.600–38.620
Criteria for Burial in a National Cemetery
Eligibility for burial in a national cemetery, including Fort Snelling, is outlined in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and managed by the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. The following groups are generally eligible for burial:
1. Veterans with Qualifying Service:
• Discharge Status: Must have been discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable (e.g., honorable or general under honorable conditions). Dishonorable discharges typically disqualify individuals.
• Service Requirements: Any period of active military service, including:
• Active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force.
• Active duty for training (if the individual was disabled or died during that training due to injury or disease).
• Inactive duty training (if the individual was disabled or died from an injury incurred during that training).
• Service in the National Guard or Reserves, if called to active duty by federal orders for purposes other than training, or if they completed a full term of service in the Selected Reserve.
• Minimum Service: No minimum length of service is required for most veterans, but those who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty, unless they were discharged for hardship or disability.
2. Specific Eligible Groups:
• Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service or NOAA: Those who served on full-time duty as commissioned officers in the Public Health Service (after June 30, 1960) or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or its predecessor, after June 30, 1961).
• World War II Merchant Mariners: Those with recognized service under Public Law 95-202.
• Spouses and Dependents:
• A veteran’s spouse, surviving spouse (who has not remarried, unless the remarriage was terminated by death or divorce), or minor children (under 21, or under 23 if in school, or disabled before age 18).
• Dependent parents of veterans who died in service or from service-connected conditions.
• Others: Certain civilians who provided direct support to the armed forces during specific periods (e.g., American Civilian Internees during World War II).
3. Documentation:
• Eligibility is verified using a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or equivalent military records. For spouses or dependents, proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate) is required.
• Pre-need eligibility determinations can be requested through VA Form 40-10007 to confirm eligibility in advance.
4. Exclusions:
• Individuals discharged dishonorably, convicted of subversive activities, or who died while committing a federal or state crime (e.g., as a fugitive) are typically ineligible.
• Burial space must be available; however, national cemeteries like Fort Snelling often accommodate both casket and cremation burials (in-ground or columbarium).
5. Burial Benefits:
• Eligible veterans and their qualifying family members receive a burial space, headstone or marker, perpetual care, and military honors at no cost. Cremated remains can be interred in a columbarium or scattered in designated areas, if available.
• The VA provides a headstone or marker, even for veterans buried in private cemeteries, if requested.
Criteria for General VA Benefits
VA benefits (e.g., health care, disability compensation, education, home loans, pension) have distinct eligibility criteria, but they share some overlap with burial eligibility. Key requirements include:
1. Veteran Status:
• Must meet the same discharge criteria (other than dishonorable) and have served in active military, naval, air, or space service.
• Minimum service requirements (e.g., 24 months for post-1980 enlistees) apply for certain benefits like education (GI Bill) or pensions, unless discharged early for disability or hardship.
2. Service-Connected Conditions:
• Disability Compensation: Requires a current disability linked to an injury or illness incurred or aggravated during active service. Veterans must provide medical evidence and service records.
• Health Care: Eligibility depends on service history, income, and sometimes disability status. Priority groups are assigned based on factors like service-connected disabilities, income levels, or special designations (e.g., Purple Heart recipients).
3. Specific Benefits:
• Education (GI Bill): Requires active duty service after specific dates (e.g., Post-9/11 GI Bill requires 90 days of service after September 10, 2001). Reservists may qualify under certain conditions.
• Home Loans: Veterans with qualifying service (e.g., 90 days wartime, 181 days peacetime) and sufficient credit/income are eligible for VA-backed loans.
• Pension: Available to wartime veterans with limited income, who served at least 90 days (including one day during a wartime period), and meet age or disability criteria.
4. Documentation:
• DD-214 or equivalent is required to verify service. Additional documentation (e.g., medical records, income statements) may be needed depending on the benefit.
5. Special Considerations:
• National Guard and Reserve members may qualify if they served on active duty or were injured during training.
• Certain benefits extend to surviving spouses, dependents, or parents, particularly for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if a veteran’s death was service-connected.
Minnesota-Specific Context
For Minnesota veterans, Fort Snelling National Cemetery follows the above national criteria. The state’s veterans cemeteries (Little Falls, Preston, Duluth, Redwood Falls) align with VA standards, requiring a DD-214 for verification and offering similar no-cost burial benefits for veterans, spouses, and eligible dependents. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) assists with eligibility verification and applications, ensuring access to both state and federal benefits.
Sources and Verification
• Federal Regulations: Title 38 CFR, Sections 38.600–38.620
Section II - What is a DD-214
A DD214, officially known as the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is a document issued by the U.S. Department of Defense to service members upon their separation from active-duty military service. It serves as a comprehensive record of a veteran’s military service and includes key details such as:
• Personal Information: Name, rank, and service number.
• Service Details: Branch of service, dates of active duty, and total time served.
• Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Job roles or specialties held.
• Awards and Decorations: Medals, ribbons, or commendations received.
• Type of Discharge: Honorable, general, dishonorable, etc.
• Training and Education: Military schools or courses completed.
• Reason for Separation: Retirement, completion of enlistment, medical reasons, etc.
• Reenlistment Eligibility: Codes indicating whether the veteran can reenlist.
The DD214 is critical for veterans to access benefits like VA healthcare, education (e.g., GI Bill), home loans, or employment preferences. It’s often requested by employers, government agencies, or organizations to verify military service. Service members receive the DD214 upon discharge, and it’s advisable to keep multiple copies, as it’s a vital document for post-military life.
• Personal Information: Name, rank, and service number.
• Service Details: Branch of service, dates of active duty, and total time served.
• Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Job roles or specialties held.
• Awards and Decorations: Medals, ribbons, or commendations received.
• Type of Discharge: Honorable, general, dishonorable, etc.
• Training and Education: Military schools or courses completed.
• Reason for Separation: Retirement, completion of enlistment, medical reasons, etc.
• Reenlistment Eligibility: Codes indicating whether the veteran can reenlist.
The DD214 is critical for veterans to access benefits like VA healthcare, education (e.g., GI Bill), home loans, or employment preferences. It’s often requested by employers, government agencies, or organizations to verify military service. Service members receive the DD214 upon discharge, and it’s advisable to keep multiple copies, as it’s a vital document for post-military life.
Section III
October 18, 2025
Tom Briggs Presentation before Task Force 10/27/2025
Statement for the Record
Presentation
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