Can I Get an Extension Beyond the Montgomery GI Bill Ten-Year Mark?

Jeff, the VA rarely issues GI Bill extensions, however, they will under three conditions. If you:

• served at least 90 days of active duty since the discharge on record,
• were prevented from going to school by injuries or health problems, or
• were detained by a foreign government or power.

If you claim the first one, provide a copy of your orders ordering you to active duty or a copy of your DD214 releasing you from active duty.

If you are claiming the second one, send the VA as much information as possible about the condition that kept you from training, specifically telling them:

• the type of disability or illness;

• the exact beginning and ending dates (mm-dd-yyyy) of the period during which you couldn’t go to school or attend training because of your disability;

• the reason(s) you were unable to begin or continue a training program;

• the type of each job you held during the period of your disability;

• the name and address of each employer, and the beginning and ending dates and the weekly hours of each job.

Also, it is very important that you send them a statement from the doctor who treated you. The doctor should tell the VA:

• his or her diagnosis and treatment;

• how long you’ve had the disability or illness;

• the exact beginning and ending dates (mm-dd-yyyy) of the period during which your disability prevented you from training or going to school.

• also send any other medical evidence you have, such as hospital reports or laboratory test results relating to your condition.

If you are claiming the last situation, then you should send any paperwork you have documenting your detainment and release.

If you qualify, send your package to the VA Regional Office servicing your State or area.

As you can see, this is a complex process and for good reason.  The VA will only extend the GI Bill delimiting date to those who can specifically document they warrant an extension and weed out those who don’t.