VA Benefits Eligibility Chart by Discharge Status 2026 Guide for Veterans

Understanding VA benefits eligibility can be confusing especially when discharge status becomes the deciding factor. Many veterans assume that serving in uniform automatically qualifies them for all VA benefits. In reality, how you were discharged from military service plays a major role in what benefits you can access.

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From VA disability compensation and health care to education, burial benefits, and housing assistance, discharge characterization determines eligibility. This guide simplifies the rules using clear eligibility charts so you can quickly see where you stand in 2026.

“Discharge status is one of the most misunderstood factors in veterans’ benefits,” explains a veteran service officer with decades of claims experience.
“Many veterans are eligible for more than they think even with less-than-honorable discharges.”

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Understanding VA Discharge Status and Why It Matters

The Department of Veterans Affairs uses discharge characterization to determine whether a veteran’s service is considered “under conditions other than dishonorable.”

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This standard not just the label on your DD-214 often decides eligibility.

Common Military Discharge Types

• Honorable (HON)
• General (Under Honorable Conditions) – GEN
• Other Than Honorable (OTH)
• Bad-Conduct Discharge (BCD)
  • Special Court-Martial (SPCM)
  • General Court-Martial (GCM)
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• Dishonorable Discharge (DD)

Each classification carries different consequences for VA and military-related benefits.

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Eligibility Matrix Legend

Before reviewing the charts, here’s how eligibility is defined:

• E = Eligible for benefits
• NE = Not eligible for benefits
• A = Eligible only if the administering agency determines the discharge was not under dishonorable conditions

“An ‘A’ designation often means a veteran should request a Character of Discharge review,” says a VA-accredited representative.

VA Benefits Eligibility by Discharge Type

Benefit	DD	BCD (GCM)	BCD (SPCM)	OTH	GEN	HON
VA disability compensation	NE	A	A	A	E	E
VA health care (including dental)	NE	A	A	A	E	E
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)	NE	A	A	A	E	E
GI Bill® education benefits	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	E
Pensions to widows & children	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Hospital & domiciliary care	NE	A	A	A	E	E
Prosthetic appliances	NE	A	A	A	E	E
Seeing-eye dogs & adaptive aids	NE	A	A	A	E	E
Burial benefits	NE	A	A	A	E	E
Special housing grants	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Vocational rehabilitation	NE	A	A	A	E	E
Survivor educational assistance	NE	A	A	A	E	E
Automobile benefits	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Inductee reenlistment rights	NE	NE	A	A	E	E

What This Table Means for Veterans?

• Honorable and General discharges provide access to most VA benefits.
• OTH and BCD discharges may still qualify for many VA benefits after review.
• Dishonorable discharges generally bar VA benefits entirely.

“Veterans with OTH or BCD discharges should never self-disqualify,” notes a veterans’ law attorney.
“Many are approved after review.”

Military Benefits Eligibility by Discharge Type

Benefit	DD	BCD (GCM)	BCD (SPCM)	OTH	GEN	HON
Mileage reimbursement	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Payment for accrued leave	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Transportation for dependents	E	E	E	E	E	E
Retain & wear uniform home	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Notice to civilian employer	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Military awards & medals	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Admission to Naval Home	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Board for Correction of Records	E	E	E	E	E	E
Death gratuity	NE	NE	A	A	A	E
Wartime title & uniform	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Discharge Review Board access	NE	NE	E	E	E	E

Other Veteran Benefits Eligibility by Discharge Type

Benefit	DD	BCD (GCM)	BCD (SPCM)	OTH	GEN	HON
Homestead preference	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Civil Service employment preference	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	E
Federal retirement credit	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	E
Naturalization benefits	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	E
Court bailiff employment	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
DC police/fire/teacher retirement	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Housing for distressed families	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Farm loans & housing loans	NE	NE	A	A	A	E
Job counseling & placement	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
WWII Social Security wage credits	NE	NE	A	A	A	E
Defense housing preference	NE	NE	A	A	A	E

Character of Discharge Reviews: A Critical Opportunity

Veterans with OTH or BCD discharges may qualify for VA benefits if the VA determines their service was not dishonorable for VA purposes.

This is done through:

• A Character of Discharge determination, or
• A discharge upgrade request

“We see veterans win eligibility years after separation simply by requesting a review,” says a discharge upgrade specialist.

Why Discharge Status Does Not Tell the Whole Story?

Many veterans receive OTH or BCD discharges due to:

• Undiagnosed PTSD or TBI
• Substance abuse linked to service
• Mental health conditions
• Family or deployment stress

These factors may support eligibility upon review.

Why This Matters for Veterans and Families?

VA benefits are not just financial. They include:

• Access to lifelong health care
• Support for surviving spouses and children
• Education and job training
• Housing stability

Understanding eligibility can mean the difference between going without care and receiving long-term support.

“Benefits eligibility often changes lives not just finances,” explains a veteran family advocate.

Final Thought

Your discharge status matters but it may not be the final word. Many veterans incorrectly assume they’re barred from VA benefits when they’re not. Understanding the eligibility rules and pursuing reviews when appropriate can open the door to life-changing support.

If you served, it’s worth knowing exactly where you stand.

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