# 38 C.F.R. § 21.5041 (2026): Periods of entitlement

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5041

## Section

- **Citation:** 38 C.F.R. § 21.5041 (2026)
- **Heading:** Periods of entitlement
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 38 CFR: Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief / Chapter I: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS / Part 21: VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION / Subpart G: Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32 / § 21.5041: § 21.5041   Periods of entitlement.

## Text

(a)
Ten-year delimiting period.
Except as provided in § 21.5042 no educational assistance shall be afforded an eligible individual under chapter 32 beyond the date of 10 years after the later of the following:
(1) His or her last discharge or release from a period of active duty of 90 days or more of continuous service; or
(2) His or her last discharge or release from a period of active duty of any length when the eligible individual is discharged or released—
(i) For a service-connected disability;
(ii) For a medical condition which preexisted such service and which VA determines is not service-connected;
(iii) For hardship; or
(iv) Involuntarily for convenience of the government after October 1, 1987, as a result of a reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3231; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576, Pub. L. 101-237)
(b)
Use of entitlement.
The individual—
(1) May use his or her entitlement at anytime during the 10-year period after the last discharge or release from active duty or other period as provided pursuant to § 21.5042 of this part;
(2) Is not required to use his or her entitlement in consecutive months.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232, Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576)
[53 FR 34496, Sept. 7, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 38614, Aug. 26, 1992]

## Nearby sections

- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5001 (2026) § 21.5001   Administration of benefits: 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5001.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5020 (2026) § 21.5020   Post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5020.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5021 (2026) § 21.5021   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5021.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5022 (2026) § 21.5022   Eligibility under more than one program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5022.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5023 (2026) § 21.5023   Nonduplication; Federal programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5023.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5030 (2026) § 21.5030   Applications, claims, and time limits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5030.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5040 (2026) § 21.5040   Basic eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5040.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5041 (2026) § 21.5041   Periods of entitlement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5041.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5042 (2026) § 21.5042   Extended period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5042.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5050 (2026) § 21.5050   Application requirements for participation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5050.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5052 (2026) § 21.5052   Contribution requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5052.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5053 (2026) § 21.5053   Restoration of contributions (Persian Gulf War).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5053.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5054 (2026) § 21.5054   Dates of participation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5054.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.5058 (2026) § 21.5058   Resumption of participation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5058.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_5041. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.