Can you get VA 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 is general discharge under honorable conditions?
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.
What is general under honorable conditions?
- Involuntary separation due to parenthood
- Diagnosis of a Personality disorder
- Other designated physical or mental conditions
How bad is a dishonorable discharge?
In many states a dishonorable discharge is deemed the equivalent of a felony conviction, with attendant loss of civil rights. In some states, those who have been dishonorably discharged may also be barred from voting, holding office or doing jury service because they were discharged as the result of a felony conviction.
Are you considered a veteran with a general discharge?
Current state law generally defines a veteran in three ways. The general definition is anyone honorably discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty in the armed forces.
Can you get veteran 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.
Is a general discharge considered honorable?
A general discharge under honorable conditions means that your service was satisfactory, but did not deserve the highest level of discharge for performance and conduct. Many veterans with this type of discharge may have engaged in minor misconduct.
What type of discharge are eligible for VA benefits?
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).
Can you get VA benefits if 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 long do you have to be in the military to get VA benefits?
24 continuous monthsTo be eligible for most veterans benefits, a minimum period of active duty of 24 continuous months or the full period for which a person is called or ordered to active duty must be completed. This rule has been in effect since October 16, 1981 for new enlistees.
Can I join USAA with a general discharge?
You must have separated with an Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions discharge. Call 800-531-USAA (8722), that's 800-531-8722 to see if you qualify.
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.
Does a DD-214 show up on a background check?
The DD-214 is the most reliable documentation employers can secure and review regarding military discharge information. If using a background check provider, Form DD-214 is considered a record that falls under the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
Can you reenlist after a general discharge?
You are normally only eligible for reenlistment if you have an honorable discharge. All other discharges than honorable tend to have legal or court martial offenses attached to them.
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.
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 percentage of veterans receive honorable discharge?
Honorable Discharge. An honorable discharge is by far the most common with over 85 percent of veterans receiving this type of discharge. Veterans with an honorable discharge are entitled to all VA benefits (e.g., disability compensation, educational, healthcare, vocational).
What does it mean to be discharged from the military?
General discharge means that you met the requirements of service, likely with some minor disciplinary actions, or failure to meet certain standards. However, overall, your military performance was considered satisfactory. Veterans who receive general discharges under honorable conditions are entitled to all VA benefits, with the exception of GI Bill education benefits.
How many periods of service do veterans have?
Determining eligibility for benefits may be complex for veterans with multiple periods of service. For example, veterans may have two periods of service: the first with an honorable discharge and the second with a dishonorable discharge. Any conditions incurred during the first period would be eligible for VA benefits; however, ...
What is the worst discharge you can receive?
Dishonorable Discharge. The worst discharge you can receive is a dishonorable discharge. This type of discharge status is usually reserved for veterans who have committed a very serious offense such as desertion, rape, or murder.
What is an OTH discharge?
It means you had some serious departures from the conduct, protocol, and performance expected of a service member. Examples of situations that might result in an OTH discharge include security violations, serious misconduct that endangers other members of the military, or use of deliberate force to seriously hurt another person.
How to determine if discharge was under conditions other than dishonorable?
To determine whether the events that led to discharge were “under conditions other than dishonorable,” VA reviews the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident (s) that led to discharge, as report by the military . You can also submit your own supporting evidence or evidence obtained from third parties.
What is bad conduct discharge?
A bad conduct discharge is a punitive, or disciplinary, discharge that is imposed by a court-martial. A court-martial is a criminal trial conducted by the military when there is a violation. If you receive a bad conduct discharge by a special court-martial (reserved for more serious charges), rather than a general court-martial (reserved for crimes that would be felonies if committed by civilians),
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.
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 ...
Can a veteran be discharged under dishonorable conditions?
Service members who commit serious crimes while in the military may be discharged under dishonorable conditions. A court-martial determines this type of discharge as well. Dishonorable discharge makes a veteran ineligible for all VA benefits. A character of service determination remains on your military record unless a discharge review board ...
Is a release for any reason a statutory bar to benefits?
§ 5303), a release or discharge for any of the following reasons constitutes a statutory bar to benefits, unless it is determined that the Servicemember was insane at the time he/she committed the offense that resulted in the discharge:
Is discharge dishonorable in VA?
A: Yes. As established by VA regulation 38 CFR § 3.12(d), an individual’s character of discharge is considered to have been issued “under dishonorable conditions” if he/she was released under any of the following circumstances:
Can you get VA medical treatment if you have a discharge?
A: Yes, in some situations: If an individual received a discharge “under other than honorable conditions,” he or she may still be eligible for treatment at a VA medical facility for disabilities determined to be service connected, unless the individual is subject to one of the statutory bars to benefits specified in 38 U.S.C. § 5303.
What happens if you don't get an honorable discharge?
Generally speaking, if you did not receive an honorable discharge you will be ineligible for VA disability compensation benefits , but there are a few exceptions.
How to get a discharge upgrade?
To get a discharge upgrade you can apply through either the Discharge Review Board (DRB) or the Board of Correction for Military Records (BCMR). Regardless of your kind of discharge, you served your country.
What is character of service in VA?
Or being found guilty of adultery in a divorce hearing. When this happens it is commonly referred to as a “character of service” decision. The VA will look at the circumstances regarding your discharge before they make their decision. If the VA decides that your character of service does not qualify you for benefits, there’s still hope for you. ...
Can you get VA benefits if you received a bad discharge?
Regardless of the service of character decision, if you received a Bad Conduct Discharge from a Special Court Martial, an Other Than Honorable Discharge, or an Undesirable Discharge you are still eligible for limited VA healthcare benefits .
Can a veteran receive disability compensation?
Veterans who received a Dishonorable Discharge or Bad Conduct issued by a General Court Martial, are not eligible for disability compensation or health care benefits.
What type of veteran benefits am I entitled to with a general medical discharge?
If you received a medical discharge under honorable conditions, including a general discharge, you’re entitled to nearly all of your VA benefits.
Why is it easier to service connect a discharge?
Conditions that resulted in a medical discharge are often even easier to service-connect because the medical evidence will be strong (although it’s still very possible to obtain medical evidence to service-connect a disability or medical condition even if it wasn’t documented during active duty).
How long before separation can you apply for disability?
You can begin TAP one year prior to separation or two years prior to retiring. 6. Make sure right before transitioning out of the military that you enter the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. This way, you can apply for disability benefits before separation.
How long do you have to file a pre-charge claim before you leave the military?
How do I file for a claim before my medical discharge from the military? If you have an illness or injury that you believe was caused or made worse by your active-duty service, you can file a Pre-Charge Claim for disability benefits 180 to 90 days before leaving the military.
What happens if you become sick and are injured in the military?
If you become sick or are injured to the point where military duty is no longer possible, you may be given a medical discharge. This type of discharge is based on a medical evaluation of your condition and can be a lengthy process.
Can you receive honorable discharge in 2021?
Last updated on July 9, 2021. If you’re dealing with a military medical discharge, you might think that could prevent you from receiving an honorable discharge. You might also believe that you won’t be entitled to any VA benefits. But despite the myths and rumors you may have heard about a military medical discharge, ...
Can you get a general discharge after joining the military?
If a medical condition is identified right after you join the military and is considered a pre-existing condition, you will probably receive a general discharge, which will make you eligible for most veteran’s entitlements. A medical discharge isn’t viewed negatively and doesn’t interfere with benefit eligibility.
