Simmer, you don't have to be retired from any service to recieve veterans benefits. The time qualification is a minimum 2 years on active duty. That's it. There are a few other qualifications and time on active duty is only one of them.
Even if you are rich you can qualify by making co-payments. That is really good if you are on a lot of life sustaining drugs or treatments.
Even if you get liquered up everyday and have a dependency problem, they will fix that too.
If you earned your benefits, use them.
Mad`