Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter, the term “housing loan” means a loan for any of the purposes specified by sections 3710(a) and 3712(a)(1) of this title.
For the purposes of housing loans under this chapter—
The term “World War II” (A) means the period beginning on
The term “veteran” includes the surviving spouse of any veteran (including a person who died in the active military, naval, air, or space service) who died from a service-connected disability, but only if such surviving spouse is not eligible for benefits under this chapter on the basis of the spouse’s own active duty. The active duty or service in the Selected Reserve of the deceased spouse shall be deemed to have been active duty or service in the Selected Reserve by such surviving spouse for the purposes of this chapter.
The term “veteran” also includes, for purposes of home loans, the spouse of any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who is listed, pursuant to section 556 of title 37, United States Code, and regulations issued thereunder, by the Secretary concerned in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than ninety days: (A) missing in action, (B) captured in line of duty by a hostile force, or (C) forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power. The active duty of the member shall be deemed to have been active duty by such spouse for the purposes of this chapter. The loan eligibility of such spouse under this paragraph shall be limited to one loan guaranteed or made for the acquisition of a home, and entitlement to such loan shall terminate automatically, if not used, upon receipt by such spouse of official notice that the member is no longer listed in one of the categories specified in the first sentence of this paragraph.
The term “veteran” also includes an individual serving on active duty.
The term “veteran” also includes an individual who is not otherwise eligible for the benefits of this chapter and (i) who has completed a total service of at least 6 years in the Selected Reserve and, following the completion of such service, was discharged from service with an honorable discharge, was placed on the retired list, was transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after service in the Selected Reserve characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service, or continues serving in the Selected Reserve, or (ii) who was discharged or released from the Selected Reserve before completing 6 years of service because of a service-connected disability.
The term “Selected Reserve” means the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of any of the reserve components (including the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States) of the Armed Forces, as required to be maintained under section 10143(a) of title 10.
The term “veteran” also includes, for purposes of home loans, the surviving spouse of a veteran who died and who was in receipt of or entitled to receive (or but for the receipt of retired or retirement pay was entitled to receive) compensation at the time of death for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling if—
the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding death;
the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of not less than five years from the date of such veteran’s discharge or other release from active duty; or
the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after
The term “veteran” also includes, for purposes of home loans, an individual who performed full-time National Guard duty (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 10) for a period—
of not less than 90 cumulative days; and
that includes 30 consecutive days.
Benefits shall not be afforded under this chapter to any individual on account of service as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or predecessor entity), or of the Regular or Reserve Corps 1
Source
(Pub. L. 85–857,Notes
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Except as provided in subsection (b), the provisions of this Act [see Tables for classification] shall become effective on the date of enactment [
Sections 2 [enacting section 1807 of this title] and 3 [amending section 1811 [now 3711] of this title] shall become effective on