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.
What are the benefits of a general discharge from the VA?
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 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.
Can you get benefits with a general discharge under honorable conditions?
Depending upon the discharge circumstances, a minority of individuals with a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions may still qualify for all benefits. This usually applies to a discharge that was implemented because of a mental health concern, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
What happens when you receive a military discharge?
As you know, you receive a discharge after you complete your military service, releasing you from your obligation to serve. There are multiple types of discharges, and the veterans benefits you qualify for will depend on what type of discharge you receive. Types of service discharges include: entry-level separation.
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 ...
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.
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, ...
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.
What is a general discharge?
With a General Discharge, an individual will have received some form of non-judicial punishment during their time of service as a disciplinary action.
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 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.
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.
What is medical separation?
A medical separation is a type of military discharge that stems from a soldier, sailor, or Marine having a physical or mental condition that affects their ability to serve. This discharge is determined via the 2 medical review boards: Medical Evaluation Board (or MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB).
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.
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.
Why do veterans get discharged?
Some common reasons for the military to issue a general discharge include the following: mental instability, frequent or prolonged absences, alcohol abuse and drug abuse.
What is VA benefits?
VA benefits are contingent upon time in service and possession of an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. Honorable and general discharges qualify the veteran for most VA benefits.
What is an honorable discharge?
A general discharge under honorable conditions satisfies the basic eligibility for veteran status with the Department of Veterans Affairs and provides the benefit of assistance from counselors at a local VA branch. VA benefits are contingent upon time in service and possession of an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable ...
Can a general discharge be considered honorable?
A prospective employer rarely challenges a general discharge under honorable conditions, which means that this type of discharge avoids the stigma associated with a dishonorable discharge. General discharges can convert to honorable discharges if the return to civilian life encourages formation of a stellar citizen. To petition for an upgrade in discharge status, the individual must establish a stellar civilian profile before petitioning for the change, which could take several years.
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 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 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.
What is discharge after military service?
As you know, you receive a discharge after you complete your military service, releasing you from your obligation to serve. There are multiple types of discharges, and the veterans benefits you qualify for will depend on what type of discharge you receive. Types of service discharges include:
What is the second best discharge?
The second best type of discharge you can receive is a general discharge under honorable conditions. This means that your performance was considered satisfactory. Just like an honorable discharge, you're eligible for most veteran (and military benefits) if you receive a general discharge, including disability compensation, ...
What is an OTH discharge?
An OTH discharge means that you had some serious departures from the conduct and performance expected of a service member. Some examples of when you may receive this discharge include: 1 security violations 2 serious misconduct that endangers other members of the military, or 3 use of deliberate force to seriously hurt another person.
What does honorable discharge mean?
This means that you met or exceeded the conduct and performance standards of the military. You're eligible for all veteran (and military) benefits if you receive this discharge. Some benefits actually require an honorable discharge, including Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill education benefits.
What are some examples of dishonorable discharges?
Examples include desertion, rape, or murder. You will receive a dishonorable discharge only if you're convicted at a general court-martial that calls for a dishonorable discharge as part of the sentence. All veteran and military benefits are lost with this discharge.
What to do if you are denied a VA benefit?
If you need help applying for veterans benefits, or if you've had an application for benefits denied, get in touch with an attorney for advice on how to proceed. And if you've been given anything less than an honorable discharge, you might want to appeal your discharge status.
Can you get VA benefits if you are an OTH?
use of deliberate force to seriously hurt another person. You are not likely to be eligible for any veteran benefits if you receive an OTH discharge, but the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will examine the circumstances of your OTH discharge to determine whether you're eligible or not.
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 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.
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 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),
Can a bad conduct discharge be considered a VA benefit?
However, veterans with an OTH Discharge or, more rarely, a Bad Conduct Discharge can be deemed eligible for some VA benefits.
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 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.
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.
Tricare Assisted Management Program (TAMP)
Sponsors and eligible family members may be covered by the Transitional Assistance Management Program after losing Tricare eligibility. This program extends Tricare eligibility for specific beneficiaries. It provides 180 days of premium-free transitional health care benefits after regular Tricare benefits end.
Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)
Once TAMP eligibility expires and you are no longer eligible for any other Tricare health plan, you can enroll in the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. This program is purchased coverage that acts as a bridge between Tricare coverage and your new health coverage. It is typically limited to 36 months.
The Health Insurance Marketplace
Another option for health care coverage is the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires most Americans have minimum essential health care coverage, or pay a tax penalty for each month that you and the other individuals listed on your tax form do not have coverage.
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