A: The Veterans Associations (the VA) is ultimately who will decide if you will be approved for a VA loan similarly to being approved by a regular bank for a mortgage but here are the 5 most common things to help you determine if you are eligible for a VA loan Certificate of Eligiblity:

• Wartime – Service During: WWII (09/16/1940 – 07/24/1947), the Korean War (06/27/1950 – 1/31/1955) or the Vietnam War (08/05/1964 – 05/07/1975): You must have served at least 90 days on active duty and been discharged under a condition other than a dishonorable discharge.  If you served less than 90 days in one of these wars you may be eligible for a VA loan if you were discharged for a service connected disability.
• Peacetime – Sevice During 07/26/1947 – 06/26/1950, 02/01/1955 – 08/04/1964, 05/08/1975 – 08/07/1980 (enlisted) or 05/08/1975 – 10/16/1981 (officer): You must have served 181 days of continuous active duty and been discharged under a condition other than a dishonorable discharge.  If you served less than 181 days you may still be eligible for a VA loan if you were discharged for a service connected disability.
• Service after 09/07/1980 (enlisted) or 10/16/1981 (officer): If you were seperated from the service which began after these dates you must have:

• Completed 24 months of continuous active service or the full period of at least 181 days for which you were ordered or called to active duty with a discharge other than dishonorable; or
• Completed at least 181 days of active duty and been discharged under the specific authority of 10 USC 1173 (hardship) or 10 USC 1171 (early out) or have been or have been determined to have a compensable service connected disability; or
• Been discharged with less than 181 days of service for a service connected disability.  You may also be eligible if you were released from active duty due to an involuntary reduction in force, certain medical conditions or convieniences of the government.

• • Gulf War – Service During 08/04/1990 to a date which is yet to be determined: Stipulations are the same as the last eligibility requirement.
• Active Duty Service Personnel and Selected Reserves or National Guard: 

• If you are active duty you must be currently on regular duty (not active for training).  You are eligible to apply for a VA loan after 181 consecutive days of unless discharged or seperated from a previous qualifying period of active duty service; or
• If you have completed at least 6 years in the Selected Reserves or National Guard and were discharged with an honorable discharge, were placed on the retired list, were transferred to the standby reserves or continue to serve in the selected reserves.