When is a reservist considered a veteran?

I believe you have to be off student status before your days count and are officially a member, however the 4 years do start from your enlistment date.
I don't consider myself a veteran because I never deployed, but I did serve more than one day on active duty. I haven't even asked for help for the tinnitus because I don't know if I qualify. Then again it is different than trying to get aid for school.
Iwish they would specify everything, just so that people would know answers like this one rather than having to go talk to someone at the VFW that may be in a bad mood that day.

SGT Howard Hong - I don't see how, other than maybe in his own mind your friend can be considered a vet. He did even finish basic training and bi-polar disorder is a pre-existing condition. Most likely he was administratively discharged, not medically discharged.

Captain, I served 6 years as a Marine Corp reserve (!961-1967 Viet name war era) ending with an honorable discharge! Since I am low income 520 a month I applied for a pension, but was denied! Any hope left at this advancing age? thanks tom.

Its a hard pill to swallow when you did a 6 x 2 enlistment (1986 thru 1993) as a Reservist with 19D Cav. Scout as my primary MOS and also 11B Infantry Grunt qualified ….. 2 Army Certificates of Achievement awards … 1 as a PFC and 1 as a SPEC 4…. graduated BNOCC …. qualified expert on all weapons ….. lived for the weekends and summers with my fellow soldiers doing what we signed up for and prepped for the gulf and was 6 weeks away from being sent there and employing what we trained for and always ready for the call that did not come as it ended so quickly . The rank earned over time with hard work and perseverance . My class A uniform with my ribbons , metals and cords …. my last 4 …. my DD 256A Honorable Discharge that hangs above my desk and no one allows me the distinction and I am not allowed to consider myself a Veteran ???! Joseph Felice

Of course.

By regulation 180 days of continuous Active Duty constitutes you to be a veteran. You are not considered such for Veterans Tax discounts. BCT & AIT usually do not fit this criteria. You will be considered a 'VETERAN' if you are RETIRED with 20+ years of Reserve/NG service and drawing a pension.

Thank You Sargeant, you brought-up new points! I served 6 years mainly at Parris Island, then Jacksonville for Helicopter maintenance training, then 5 1/2 years as a reservist who went on 2 week maneuvers every year! Discharged with an Honorable discharge, (Sometimes I wonder How I made it?) yet was denied by those picky people who said, every time I made Phone calls to the 1000 number: "Thank You for your service?" I needed help badly yet no one came to my aid! I joined willfully, and would have gone to battle without question, yet none of that seems to matter! Then, I entered the Marines after having a Burst Brain Aneurysm that my Parents never had me doctored for! I had the B.B. Aneurysm approximately one year before enlisting! A doctor Chung (A military doctor,) confirmed what I has suspected by the way! It was my H--- for 6 years, and I didn't complain one bit though, as I felt that had nothing to do with the Military!