I am seeking to get a COE from the VA. I applied through…

Thank you for your patience
If you were a regular active duty soldier (and not a reservist called to active duty for deployment), then you need 24 months continuous service.

The 181 day rule only applies (during this period) for:
-Reservists called to duty

-Separation for "hardship"
-Separation for a service connected conditoin

Please let me know if you have more questions. I am happy to help if I can. Otherwise, please rate the answer so I may get credit for my work.

1 min please...

You have the correct information here.
That is, the 4 eligibility criteria do apply to active duty members.

HOWEVER, you have to read in context.

The first criteria (24 continuous months) will qualify you

The rest are modifications or exceptions to this general requirement

SO the second criteria...

allows for at least 181 days...but this only applies IF you were called to duty and served the entire period for which called.

SO this applies to reservists who are mobilized to duty

Welcome. Thank you for taking the time to accept the answer, I truly appreciate that
phil

Sorry for the delay.
And sorry for the confusion...I believe the way the VA presents the info on the site is confusing...it certainly misled me...so much so i went to the US Code to sort this out.

VA benefits are regulated by title 38 US Code. You can see the law here

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/part-III/chapter-37/subchapter-I

And if you look here
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/3702

You can see the section that applies (para a)

Take a look at section a(2).
This is the section that provides who is eligible

I am going to past the section that applies below

(A) Each veteran who served on active duty at any time during World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam era and whose total service was for 90 days or more.

(B) Each veteran who after September 15, 1940, was discharged or released from a period of active duty for a service-connected disability.

(C) Each veteran, other than a veteran described in clause (A) or (B) of this paragraph, who—

(i)served after July 25, 1947, for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable; or

(ii) has served more than 180 days in active duty status and continues on active duty without a break therein.

(D) Each veteran who served on active duty for 90 days or more at any time during the Persian Gulf War, other than a veteran ineligible for benefits under this title by reason of section 5303A(b) of this title.

(E) Each veteran described in section 3701(b)(5) of this title.

(F) Each veteran who was discharged or released from a period of active duty of 90 days or more by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in section 1174(i) of title 10).

Note that this contradicts the info on the VA website...

But this is the current US Code...this is the law. The VA has to follow the law.

I can not account for the discrepancy, I do not know whey the VA is listing information that does not match up with current law.

But I do believe that you meet the definition under 2(C)(i),

served after July 25, 1947, for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable;

I would apply for the benefit...and if they deny the application (they may) file an appeal and cite this law. What you have described based on the law, I believe you qualify.

Hi
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Thanks for your understanding
Phil