A recent ruling by the Defense Department has granted veteran status to a group of civilians who served in Vietnam. Specifically, the group consists of "Department of the Navy civilian special agents who served in direct support and under control of the Department of the Navy within the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975." The ruling determines that this group will be "considered as having served on active duty for the purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs." That means that they and their family members may be eligible for health, disability and burial benefits. Read more on Military.com.