Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon today said it was "only fair" that veterans with health problems as a result of their time in the Armed Forces should receive priority treatment in the NHS.
Currently only those who receive a war pension are entitled to priority treatment for any health problems caused by their service.
But today the Scottish Government issued new guidance to health boards setting out how this will be extended to all armed service personnel who have health problems as a consequence of their duties.
And the change will come into effect from the end of this month.
Ms Sturgeon said: "It is only fair that those who experience health problems as a result of serving for their country should get priority access to treatment.
"Our service men and women do a fantastic and I hope the new measures to improve support for them will be warmly welcomed."
The government guidance stated the move is not expected to cause "significant difficulties" or extra work for health boards.
But it added that the impact would be monitored, particularly for services veterans may be likely to use, such as mental health and audiology.
Ms Sturgeon announced in November that the change was being brought in.
It came after criticism from the House of Commons Defence Committee, with MPs on that accusing Government health officials of having no policies to deal with veterans.
Ron Smith, the chairman of Veterans Scotland, welcomed the move and said it was "no more and no less than the country's recognition of its debt owed to Armed Forces veterans across Scotland".
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