Can I receive VA benefits with a general discharge?
To receive VA benefits, the character of your discharge matters. If you have a general discharge, you qualify for several benefits. VA Compensation benefits include disability, dependency and indemnity compensation, and special monthly compensation. Also, those with this type of discharge qualify for a pension, home loan, and insurance benefits.
What happens when a veteran is discharged from the military?
When discharged, a veteran receives a type of discharge along with a “characterization of service.” This usually falls into one of five categories: A person who receives a good or excellent ranking for their time in the service will be discharged honorably.
Are you eligible for compensation if you have a general discharge?
If you received an honorable discharge, medical discharge, or general discharge under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for compensation. What Is a General Discharge? What Are the Other Types of Discharge? Who Is Denied Benefits? What Is a Bad-Conduct Discharge? What Is a Service-Connected Health Care Exception?
What are the military discharge requirements to receive benefits?
Here are the specific military discharge requirements to maintain eligibility for these programs: Military Retirement Benefits: You must have a military discharge status of honorable, general, or under honorable conditions to maintain eligibility for retirement pay for military members.
What are the discharge requirements for VA compensation?
What is the Montgomery GI Bill?
Can you receive VA benefits if you are dishonorable?
Can you get VA benefits for bad conduct?
Is there a character of discharge bar for veterans?
Can a veteran receive a VA home loan?
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Do I qualify for VA benefits with a general discharge?
Generally, in order to receive VA benefits and services, the Veteran's character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).
Is a general discharge considered a veteran?
Under current law, a “veteran” is any person honorably discharged, or released under honorable conditions, from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Do you get full benefits with a general discharge?
Veterans with a general discharge, or general discharge under honorable conditions, are also entitled to all the benefits under the VA. This character means that a service member may not have met all of the standards of honorable discharge, yet their military service met standards of adequacy.
What disqualifies you from VA benefits?
If you're a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don't qualify for VA health care.
Can you get VA benefits with other than honorable discharge?
Veterans with other than honorable (OTH) discharges can apply now for health care and may receive treatment while VA reviews your application. The VA may treat you for: Your VA-rated, service-connected disability. Any conditions related to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during your service.
How many years do you have to serve to be a veteran?
"Anyone who has reached 20 years of service, even if they were never activated on a [federal] order for more than 180 days outside of training, will now be considered a veteran," he said. The change in law, said Krenz, simply recognizes those who serve.
How does a general discharge affect civilian life?
1. It prevents future service. Individuals who receive a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions are not allowed to re-enlist once the dismissal has been completed. The discharge type prevents individuals from entering a different service of the armed forces as well.
Can you get a government job with a general discharge?
Eligibility for Federal Job Preference Veterans must generally have served during a period of war to qualify for preference for federal jobs, and must have been discharged under honorable conditions. This means you must have either a general or an honorable discharge.
What is the VA 5 year rule?
The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.
What does general discharge mean?
Definition of general discharge : a formal release from military service given under honorable conditions and for satisfactory service to a member of the armed forces not qualifying for an honorable discharge — compare discharge.
What qualifies you to be a veteran?
38 U.S.C. § 101(2) provides: The term "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. (E) authorized travel to or from such duty or service.
Complete List Of Discharge Documents | Veterans Affairs
If you want to be buried in a national cemetery or get memorial items, you’ll need to show the National Cemetery Association (NCA) proof of honorable active military service. Find out which documents the NCA accepts. You may also need one or more of these documents so you can get other benefits.
If you have an uncharacterized discharge from the military, do you have ...
Answer (1 of 5): Ask the VA, not a bunch of people who may or may not know. My recollection is you had to serve 180 days of active duty to be a veteran. What does your DD214N say?
38 CFR § 3.12 - Character of discharge. | CFR | US Law | LII / Legal ...
(a) If the former service member did not die in service, pension, compensation, or dependency and indemnity compensation is not payable unless the period of service on which the claim is based was terminated by discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable. (38 U.S.C. 101(2)).A discharge under honorable conditions is binding on the Department of Veterans Affairs as to character ...
Claims for VA Benefits and Character of Discharge
• desertion • resignation by an officer for the good of the service • absence without official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period of 180 days or more, without
What does it mean to be discharged with a discharge?
General discharge means that you were discharged with satisfactory performance, but there is some area that you did not meet the requirements. There was some type of no judicial punishment that you received for failure to meet the military expectations or for some type of misconduct that wasn’t bad enough to warrant a dishonorable discharge.
How long do you have to serve in the military to get a VA loan?
6 years in the Reserves or National Guard. If you can prove you served enough time and that you have the right type of discharge, you are eligible for the VA loan. You’ll receive a Certificate of Eligibility, which your lender will need to process your VA loan. Click to See the Latest Mortgage Rates.
How many days do you have to serve to qualify for VA home loan?
You must serve at least: 91 days during wartime in the regular military. 181 days during peacetime in the regular military.
Do you have to prove you can afford a VA loan?
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that if you are eligible for a VA loan that you automatically qualify. You have to prove that you can afford the loan. The VA does have flexible guidelines when it comes to qualifying, but you still have to prove that you can afford it.
Do you have to have a dishonorable discharge to receive VA benefits?
In general, you need a discharge other than dishonorable in order to receive VA benefits. This means honorable, under honorable conditions and general discharge. The only exception to this rule would be if there is some type of special circumstance that left you with a dishonorable discharge.
What benefits do you get from a VA discharge?
If you have a general discharge, you qualify for several benefits. VA Compensation benefits include disability, dependency and indemnity compensation, and special monthly compensation. Also, those with this type of discharge qualify for a pension, home loan, and insurance benefits. Although, if you want education benefits, ...
What is the difference between a general discharge and an honorable discharge?
General Discharge vs. Honorable Discharge. An honorable discharge is the highest level of discharge a service member can receive. It means the expected duties were well-performed, and the member was faithful to their assigned duties. A general discharge is considered an administrative discharge.
What does "other than honorable discharge" mean?
Typically, this type of discharge means you struggled to meet expectations for conduct and performance and show a pattern of behavior that is not in line with a service member’s expectations.
What are the reasons for discharge?
In some cases, the discharge is due to not maintaining expectations in the following areas: 1 Dress and appearance 2 Fitness and weight 3 Success in completion of training 4 Minor issues with discipline
What is discharge review board?
You may consider the Discharge Review Board if you feel your discharge was not proper or equitable under the law. For instance, a veteran might suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the disorder is the reason for the behaviors that caused the discharge in the first place.
What does it mean to be discharged from the military?
A general discharge from the military means that you met the obligations of service. But this was likely with disciplinary actions or failure to meet specific standards. Perhaps the service involved circumstances where your conduct or duty was not commendable enough to result in an honorable discharge.
What is a military discharge?
A military discharge refers to the veteran’s release from their obligation to continue service in the military. When discharged, a veteran receives a type of discharge along with a ‘characterization of service.’. This usually falls into one of five categories: Honorable. General under honorable conditions.
What is the difference between a general discharge and an honorable discharge?
But, there are clear differences in getting a general discharge compared to an honorable discharge. If you received a general discharge, your overall military service was considered satisfactory. Those who get general discharges under honorable conditions receive all VA benefits, aside from GI Bill Education Benefits.
What are the different types of military discharges?
A military discharge refers to the veteran’s release from their obligation to continue service in the military. When discharged, a veteran receives a type of discharge along with a “characterization of service.” This usually falls into one of five categories: 1 Honorable 2 General under honorable conditions 3 Other than honorable 4 Bad Conduct 5 Dishonorable
What is an honorable discharge?
A person who receives a good or excellent ranking for their time in the service will be discharged honorably. Usually, a service member receives an honorable discharge by exceeding standards for performance and personal conduct during their time in the military.
How many periods of service can a VA member have?
For example, a service member may have two periods of service. The second may be issued with an honorable discharge and the second with a dishonorable discharge. In such a case, any conditions developed during the first period of service would be entitled for VA benefits.
What happens if you get a bad conduct discharge?
If you receive a bad-conduct discharge from a special court-martial, an other than honorable discharge, or an undesirable discharge, a ruling will be made to assess whether you’re eligible for benefits. These types of cases are conducted on a case by case basis.
What is an honorable discharge?
Honorable Discharge. An honorable discharge is the top level of military discharge. It’s also the most common. Veterans with this character of service are eligible for all benefits through the VA, such as disability pay, education benefits, and healthcare benefits.
What is bad conduct discharge?
Bad conduct discharge is a punitive discharge, so these situations typically involve some type of discipline. Service members who receive this type of discharge may be barred from reenlistment. They may also serve time in a military prison. A special court-martial determines this service character through a criminal trial.
How long is AWOL for veterans?
Benefits are not payable to a veteran who was absent without official leave (AWOL) for a period of at least 180 days. This bar for an extended period of AWOL may be removed if there is a finding of compelling circumstances which could excuse the absence.
What does insane mean in VA?
For purposes of the VA, an insane person is one who, while not mentally defective or constitutionally psychopathic exhibits, due to disease, a more or less prolonged deviation from his normal method of behavior, or who interferes with the peace of society. Insanity would remove the bar to benefits. One other important point to know ...
Do veterans have to have an honorable discharge to receive education benefits?
Veterans must have an honorable discharge to receive education benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill.
Can I get VA benefits with an honorable discharge?
Can I Get VA Benefits With an Other Than Honorable Discharge? To be eligible for disability compensation through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a veteran’s discharge must be under conditions other than dishonorable. This does not mean that an honorable discharge is required for receipt of VA benefits—a general discharge, ...
Can you get a discharge upgrade if you are an honorable discharge?
One option for a veteran with an other than honorable discharge is to apply for a discharge upgrade through a Discharge Review Board. This is a process outside the VA. If a discharge is upgraded through this process, the VA will consider the upgrade in determining eligibility for benefits, but the discharge upgrade does not automatically remove ...
Who has the authority to grant an administrative military discharge?
A commanding officer with high rank or another active duty high ranking member of the United States military has the authority to grant an administrative military discharge.
What does it mean to receive an honorable discharge?
Receipt of an honorable military discharge means that you met performance and conduct standards while completing ...
What are the benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill?
VA Education Benefits: The Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill both require military personnel to have received an honorable discharge from active duty service. Other educational programs for retired military personnel only require a military discharge status of anything other than under dishonorable conditions.
What are the requirements for military retirement?
Here are the specific military discharge requirements to maintain eligibility for these programs: Military Retirement Benefits: You must have a military discharge status of honorable, general, or under honorable conditions to maintain eligibility for retirement pay for military members. VA Compensation: To receive compensation for ...
What does "other than honorable discharge" mean?
Other than honorable discharge means that the military ended your active duty service prematurely due to an act of serious misconduct. Abuse of authority and/or fraternizations also fall under this category. You could receive an other than honorable discharge when you come to the end of your enlisted military service and opt for desertion rather than waiting to receive your formal military discharge from a superior. Any military service member convicted by special court-martial who did not receive a punitive discharge also receives an other than honorable discharge.
What are the reasons for a discharge?
A general discharge applies to service members who faithfully completed active duty even if they have some disciplinary issues listed on their military records. Common reasons to receive a general discharge under honorable conditions include: 1 Not maintaining military standards of dress 2 Not maintaining military standards of appearance 3 Not maintaining military standards for body weight 4 Not maintaining military standards for fitness 5 One or more minor disciplinary infractions while serving active duty 6 Not demonstrating adequate progress in your military training
What is the meaning of "absence from the military without receiving a formal leave"?
Absence from the military without receiving a formal leave (desertion) Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while serving active duty. Driving a personal or military vehicle while under the influence. Dismissal is a type of punitive military discharge reserved for officers.
What benefits do veterans get after discharge?
Depending on their length of service, this can include retirement pay, GI bill benefits, medical and dental coverage, and home loan assistance.
What is dishonorable discharge?
It is another type of punitive discharge, meaning that it is the result of misconduct of the military member. Examples of crimes that warrant a dishonorable discharge include: Murder. Fraud.
Why was Bowe Bergdahl discharged?
Bowe Bergdahl received a dishonorable discharge for desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Image: Wikipedia.org. A dishonorable discharge is considered the worst type of military discharge. It is the result of a serious crime, such as a felony, and is almost always awarded following military confinement.
What is bad conduct discharge?
A bad conduct discharge is the result of a crime that is taken to military trial. There are two types of Courts-Martial: a General Court-Martial and a Special Court-Martial. Service members often have to deal with a period of confinement following their Court-Martial and before their discharge.
Can you use a bad conduct discharge on a veteran?
Those receiving a bad conduct discharge are not able to use any veteran’s programs; this includes medical and dental benefits, VA housing programs, and the option to serve in the military in the future. A dishonorable discharge also comes with a loss of personal civilian rights, such as the right to own a firearm.
Can a letter of reprimand affect a discharge?
While a letter of reprimand, official counseling, or other minor infraction will rarely impact a service member’s career to the point of changing their discharge classification, it is still critical to strive for the exemplary record that merits an honorable discharge.
Do you get an honorable discharge after retiring from the military?
Following a career of faithful military service, the member is almost always given an honorable discharge.
Does Character Of Service Determination Change Discharge Status
While a character of service determination can make an individual eligible for VA benefits and veteran status, it does not change their actual discharge status from the military. Again, it only means that VA is going to allow their benefits claim to proceed if the character of service discharge is favorable.
What Are The Benefits Of A General Discharge
The conditions under which the discharge was given is included on the service members DD-214, the document which outlines the specifics of their separation from military service.
Get A Certificate Of Eligibility
The first step in getting a VA loan is to get a certificate of eligibility . The required paperwork you need depends on your status but here are some examples.
Va Loan Requirement Guidelines
Below are some basic VA loan requirements to keep in mind when thinking about purchasing a new home. Getting all your documents organized and established makes the home buying process a much smoother experience.
What Is A Va Loan
A VA loan is a mortgage that benefits individuals who have served in the U.S. military. By guaranteeing a percentage of every VA home loan, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lessens the risk to lenders.
Dishonorably Discharged Veterans Cant Use The Loan
No one sets out to get a dishonorable discharge on their record. That said, it happens and earning that discharge designation on your record will prevent you from being able to use the VA home loan program permanently.
What Are Typical Credit Ranges For A Va Mortgage
Its important to put that common 640 benchmark in perspective. The FICO credit score is used by most mortgage lenders and runs from 300 and 850.
What are the disadvantages of a general discharge?
The disadvantage of a General Discharge is that there are specific benefits which no longer become accessible. GI Bill education benefits, for example, are reserved for military members who received an honorable discharge. Any benefit tied to that specific discharge type will not be received. Here are some of the other General Discharge, Under ...
What is the best discharge for the military?
The type of discharge that is received will be placed on their DD-214. The best option is the Honorable Discharge, while the worst option is a Dishonorable Discharge. Several options, including the General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions, ...
Why is discharge important?
1. It prevents future service. Individuals who receive a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions are not allowed to re-enlist once the dismissal has been completed. The discharge type prevents individuals from entering a different service of the armed forces as well.
How many points can you add to your discharge?
The application is a points-based system, so individuals with this discharge type who qualify can have up to 10 points added to their scores.
Why is Chapter 13 considered an administrative discharge?
A Chapter 13 for failing to attend a specific responsibility, being overweight, or being under-strength are three common reasons for this administrative discharge to be used.
When is a discharge under honorable conditions assigned?
The General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions is assigned when there are infractions that do not warrant a judicial consequence. It can also be assigned when there is a medical reason for a discharge.
How long does it take to get a DD form 293?
Individuals must use DD Form 293, which is an application to have a discharge or dismissal from the armed forces reviewed. The form must be submitted within 15 years of discharge. Otherwise, a change to personal military records must be requested. 2. It meets eligibility standards.
What are the discharge requirements for VA compensation?
Discharge Requirements for Compensation Benefits#N#To receive VA compensation benefits and services, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).
What is the Montgomery GI Bill?
To receive VA education benefits and services through the Montgomery GI Bill program or Post-9/11 GI Bill program, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be honorable. To receive VA education benefits and services through any other VA educational benefits program, including the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) ...
Can you receive VA benefits if you are dishonorable?
However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA.#N#Read the factsheet on claims for benefits involving other-than-honorable discharges.
Can you get VA benefits for bad conduct?
However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA. Read the factsheet on claims for benefits involving other-than-honorable discharges.
Is there a character of discharge bar for veterans?
Generally, there is no character of discharge bar to benefits to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance. However, for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance and Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance benefits, the Veteran’s character of discharge must be other than dishonorable.
Can a veteran receive a VA home loan?
To receive VA home loan benefits and services, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general). Discharge Requirements for Insurance Benefits.