Everything You Need To Know About VA Home Loan Entitlement Code 10

If you are a veteran who served during the Persian Gulf War era chances are your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a VA home loan shows entitlement code 10. This code indicates when you performed the military service that makes you eligible for VA benefits like a VA mortgage.

Specifically, entitlement code 10 means you served on active duty during the period defined as the Persian Gulf War era. This era spans from August 2, 1990 to the present day.

I want to provide an in-depth explanation of VA entitlement code 10. As your trusted resource for VA loans, it’s my goal to ensure you thoroughly understand this code and how it impacts your eligibility.

In this article. we’ll cover

• What VA entitlement code 10 means
• Persian Gulf War era dates
• Minimum service requirements
• Other ways to be eligible
• How to get your COE
• Using your full VA loan benefit
• Restoring entitlement
• FAQs about VA entitlement code 10

Let’s get started!

Overview: VA Entitlement Code 10

First, let’s recap what VA entitlement code 10 indicates:

• You served during the Persian Gulf War era
• Your service start date was on or after August 2, 1990
• You meet active duty service requirements for the VA home loan

The most common VA entitlement code today, 10 simply specifies the era of service that makes you eligible for VA mortgage benefits.

If you’re unsure whether you have entitlement code 10, it will be printed near the top of your COE from the VA. This document proves your eligibility and entitlement.

Now let’s look at the Persian Gulf War dates and service requirements in more detail.

Persian Gulf War Era Dates

The Persian Gulf War era is defined by the VA as starting on August 2, 1990 to present day.

So if you served even one day on active duty within this date range, you fall into the era that gives you VA entitlement code 10.

Here are the exact Persian Gulf War dates according to the VA:

Persian Gulf War Era:

• Start date: August 2, 1990
• End date: Present day

Unlike WWII or Vietnam, which had clear start and end dates, the Persian Gulf War period remains open. So veterans are still earning eligibility and entitlement code 10 for VA loans today.

Now let’s review the minimum service requirements.

Minimum Active Duty Service Requirements

To qualify for VA benefits like a mortgage, you must meet minimum service period requirements. This applies to all VA eligibility entitlement codes.

For veterans with entitlement code 10, here are the minimum service requirements set by the VA:

• At least 90 continuous days on active duty
• OR at least 2 years of active duty service

In addition, veterans must have:

• Received an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge
• Served any part of active duty time during an official wartime period

Notably, the Persian Gulf War era is considered an official wartime period by the VA.

So if you have VA entitlement code 10, you should meet one of the above minimum service requirements.

If you were discharged prior to meeting either requirement, you may still qualify if it was due to a service-connected disability.

Other Ways to Be Eligible for VA Code 10

Most veterans become eligible for VA benefits like code 10 by serving on active duty.

But there are other cases where you can become eligible and receive VA entitlement code 10:

Surviving spouses: The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service or from a service-connected disability has eligibility. They will be coded as 10 if the deceased veteran served during the Persian Gulf War era.

National Guard and Reserves: National Guard members and Reservists who were activated under federal Title 10 orders receive VA eligibility just like active duty veterans. They must complete the minimum service period described above while activated.

• Veterans who served on active duty for the minimum periods within the Persian Gulf War dates
• Surviving spouses of veterans who served during the Persian Gulf War era
• National Guard and Reservists activated to active duty during the era

Now let’s look at how to confirm your eligibility and entitlement with the VA.

How to Get Your VA Certificate of Eligibility

Since VA entitlement code 10 proves your eligibility, you’ll need to get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA. Here are two options:

Apply yourself: You can request your COE directly through the VA’s website using this link. The VA will verify your service records and email you a copy of your COE generally within 1 business day.

Have your lender do it: Even easier, just have your VA-approved lender request your COE from the VA. Provide them your DD-214 or statement of service, and they can get the COE for you in seconds.

Either way, your COE will clearly show VA entitlement code 10 if you served during the Gulf War period.

Now let’s discuss how code 10 allows you to access your full VA mortgage benefit.

Using Your Full VA Loan Benefit

Your VA entitlement code doesn’t just prove your eligibility. It also determines the potential loan amount you can qualify for.

Here’s how it works:

With VA entitlement code 10, you have access to your full basic VA entitlement of $36,000.

This means if you were to default, the VA would pay your lender up to $36,000 on the loan.

So for a veteran with code 10 and full entitlement, a lender will generally approve you for a loan up to $144,000 with zero down payment.

However, you aren’t limited to only borrowing $144,000. Thanks to your bonus entitlement, you can qualify to finance up to the VA county loan limit in your area.

For example, if the loan limit in your county is $780,000, you could potentially get a VA loan for this amount, again with zero down payment.

This makes VA loans extremely powerful home financing options, thanks to your full entitlement.

Now let’s discuss cases where your entitlement may need to be restored.

Restoring Your VA Entitlement

Veterans are allowed to use their VA home loan eligibility more than once. For example, you could purchase multiple homes over your lifetime using VA loans.

However, your entitlement needs to be restored before buying a second home with a VA loan.

Here are two common ways your VA entitlement can become restored if already used:

• You sold the home you bought with a previous VA loan and paid off that mortgage

• Someone else with VA entitlement assumed your old VA loan when you sold the home

In these cases, your COE will show entitlement code 05 instead of your original code 10.

Code 05 means your entitlement has been restored, allowing you to reuse your VA loan benefits.

Now let’s recap some key points about VA entitlement code 10.

FAQs about VA Home Loan Entitlement Code 10

What is VA entitlement code 10?

VA entitlement code 10 indicates you served on active duty during the Persian Gulf War era from August 2, 1990 to present. This service makes you eligible for VA mortgage benefits.

What are the service requirements for code 10?

To get VA entitlement code 10, you must have served at least 90 continuous days on active duty or 2 years during the Persian Gulf War period.

Can I have code 10 if I was in the National Guard?

Yes, if you were activated to federal active duty under Title 10 orders for the minimum periods during the Persian Gulf War era.

What if I already used my VA loan benefit before?

Your eligibility can be restored, in which case your new COE will show entitlement code 05 instead of 10.

How much VA loan can I get with code 10?

With full entitlement, you can qualify for up to your county’s VA loan limit, which is typically the conforming loan maximum.

Let’s Get You Prequalified

Now that you understand VA entitlement code 10, it’s time to get prequalified and shop for your new home.

As your trusted VA lender, I’m ready to help you get preapproved and find the perfect home using your full VA loan benefit.

Please reach out today to get the process started!