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VA pension wartime periods (AFEM is not a substitute)
Veterans Pension needs at least one day in a listed wartime period, plus income and age or disability rules. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is not its own wartime period. VA lists Mexican Border, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf War (from Aug 2, 1990). AFEM for Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, and similar operations between Vietnam and the Gulf War generally does not qualify. Disability compensation does not need wartime service. Some states still treat AFEM as wartime for their own tax or bonus programs — pick your state.
FortSource maps the official page. No claim filed on anyone’s behalf. Not VA, not DoD, and not legal advice. The issuing agency’s form wins.