VA.gov | Veterans Affairs (2024)

VA » Veterans Benefits Administration » Applying for Benefits and Your Character of Discharge

Applying for Benefits and Your Character of 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). 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.

Correcting Military Records

Each of the military services maintain a discharge review board with authority to change,
correct or modify discharges or dismissals not issued by a sentence of a general court-martial.

Learn how to apply for a discharge upgrade using the VA Upgrade Wizard.

Specific Benefit Program Character of Discharge Requirements

Discharge Requirements for Compensation Benefits
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).

Discharge Requirements for Pension Benefits
To receive VA pension 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 Education Benefits
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) program, 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 Home Loan Benefits
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
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.

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VA.gov | Veterans Affairs (2024)

FAQs

When a husband dies, does the wife get his VA disability? ›

Unfortunately, your spouse cannot receive your VA disability compensation after you die. However, they may get a monthly allowance if they qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. If you lived in government housing, VA might also allow them to stay in residence for up to a year.

What does the United States Department of Veterans Affairs do? ›

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is an agency of the federal government that provides benefits, health care, and cemetery services to military Veterans. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a cabinet-level official, is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

What does the VA pay for when a Veteran dies? ›

If you're eligible, you may receive these benefits: VA burial allowance for burial and funeral costs. VA plot or interment allowance for the cost of the plot (gravesite) or interment. VA transportation reimbursem*nt for the cost of transporting the Veteran's remains to the final resting place.

What are the four types of veterans? ›

The 4 types of veterans are federally protected veterans (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces Service Medal veterans), retired veterans (which includes those who have served at least 20 years and those who are medically retired), combat veterans ( ...

How much does the widow of a 100% disabled veteran receive? ›

Benefits for the Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran

If your spouse dies with a 100% disability rating, you may be entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). For 2024, the base rate of compensation for a surviving spouse is $1,612.75/month.

What VA benefits is a widow entitled to? ›

As a veteran's surviving spouse, child or parent, you may qualify for certain benefits, such as help with burial costs and compensation or pension. You may also qualify for health care, life insurance, or financial assistance to help pay for school or training.

What is 100 VA disability pay 2024? ›

2024 VA DISABILITY RATES WITHOUT CHILDREN
Veteran AloneVeteran with Spouse
100%$3,737.85$3,946.25
90%$2,241.91$2,428.91
80%$1,995.01$2,161.01
70%$1,716.28$1,861.28
5 more rows

What is the difference between Veterans Affairs and veterans services? ›

What is the difference between Veteran's Services and Veteran's Affairs (VA)? The Veteran's Services Department administers benefits for Becket veterans which are separate and distinct from those provided by the Veteran's Affairs (VA), a program of the Federal Government.

Are VA disability benefits taxable? ›

Disability Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service.

Who gets the $250 social security death benefit? ›

A surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, unmarried child, or dependent parent may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits based on the deceased worker's earnings. In addition, a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 can be made to a qualifying spouse or child if they meet certain requirements.

Does the VA pay for funeral expenses for a spouse? ›

Burial benefits are gratefully offered to eligible Veterans, their spouses and dependent children by the Federal Government, through the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and are earned by military service to our Nation.

What is the VA 40 70 rule? ›

To be eligible for schedular TDIU benefits, a veteran must have either: a single service-connected condition with a rating of at least 60 percent; or. (the 70/40 rule) at least two service-connected conditions with a combined rating of at least 70 percent, with at least one of the conditions rated 40 percent or higher.

What is the most common veteran disability? ›

The Most Common VA Claims Disabilities

The most frequently claimed disability by Veterans, tinnitus typically involves hearing sounds that don't exist, such as ringing in the ears. Hearing loss: affecting 1,228,936 Veterans. Loss of hearing is the second most prevalent disability suffered by Veterans.

Who is not a protected veteran? ›

On the other hand, an “unprotected veteran” is not covered by these specific anti-discrimination laws or regulations. This may include veterans who have not served during specified wartime periods or who have not met other criteria outlined in the relevant laws.

When a husband dies what is the wife entitled to in VA? ›

Virginia's laws of intestate succession state that when a person dies leaving a spouse and children, one-third of the person's assets pass to the spouse and two-thirds of the person's assets pass to the children. If a person does not have any children, all of the assets pass to the spouse.

What benefits does a wife of a disabled veteran receive? ›

These benefits could include health insurance, federal or state job hiring preference, commissary and exchange privileges and more. As a spouse of a disabled veteran you may be eligible for: VA Education Benefits. VA Pension.

What benefits does a military spouse get after death? ›

SBP provides up to 55 percent of a service member's retired pay to an eligible beneficiary upon the death of the member. After the service member passes away, the SBP annuity is paid out monthly to the surviving spouse, or to the child or children of the member.

How long does a spouse get survivors benefits? ›

How Long Do You Receive Social Security Survivor Benefits? Social Security survivor benefits are payable to the surviving spouse for the remainder of their life. Restrictions apply for divorced spouses eligible to receive benefits.

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