If a vet and they are entitled to a benefit they are entitled to that benefit as long as they are eligible no matter how many years may have passed.
If the country cannot keep its promises to its Veterans the game is up .... as our enemies can be counted on keep their promise to destroy the USA...
winnah winnah chicken dinnah!
A contract is a contract. I bet just about any male who was 15-65 was eligible to participate in the 1861-65 miltary olympics, with all the responsibilities and rights that entailed.
The issue we have today is with unearned, vice earned, benefits.