1. VA Benefit Eligibility Based on Character of Discharge
CAVC Bar Association Panel on Character of Discharge
Presentation by Roselyn Tyson, Policy Staff
Compensation Service
Wednesday, May 10, 2017

2. Agenda Welcome and Introductions Thresholds for VA Benefit Eligibility
VA’s Character of Discharge (CoD) Process Overview
New Developments
Questions?

3. Thresholds for VA Benefit Eligibility
Veteran status establishes eligibility to VA benefits (38 USC § 101 (2); 38 CFR §§ 3.1(d), 3.6, 3.7; M21-1 III.ii.6.B.3.c, III.v.1.B.1.a.)
A “veteran” for VA purposes is an individual who has:
qualifying military service (type and length of service), and
a discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable

4. VA CoD Process : Discharge Types
Administrative (Department of Defense Instruction , )
Honorable
General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions
Other than Honorable
Punitive (Rules of Courts-Martial 1003(b)(8))
Bad Conduct – Special Court Martial
Bad Conduct – General Court Martial
Dishonorable/Dismissal
Uncharacterized
Entry Level Separation, Void Enlistment, Dropped from the Rolls

5. VA CoD Process: Overview
The CoD process determines VA benefit eligibility for service members with discharges other than dishonorable (M21-1 III.v.1.B.1.g.)
No authority to change a service member’s discharge
Further review triggered with evidence of a bad conduct (BC) or other than honorable (OTH) discharge (M21-1 III.v.1.B.1.c., III.v.1.B.1.d.)
Some VHA benefits available for service members with OTHs to treat service-connected disabilities (38 C.F.R ; M21-1 III.v.1.B.4.a.)

6. VA CoD Process: Overview (cont.)
Dishonorable discharge, dismissal, or a statutory bar – generally, ineligible for all VA benefits (38 U.S.C. §5303 (a); 38 C.F.R. §3.12 (c); M21-1 III.v.1.B.2.a.)
Regulatory bar – generally, ineligible for VA compensation benefits, but eligible for VHA benefits (38 C.F.R. §§3.12 (d), 3.360; M21-1 III.v.1.B.3.a., III.v.1.B.4.a.)
Both bars may be overcome by an insanity exception (38 U.S.C. §5303 (b); 38 C.F.R. §§3.12 (b), 3.354)
One period of “dishonorable” service may not forfeit all benefits when periods of honorable service exist (M21-1 III.v.1.B.1.d.)

7. Statutory Bars
Conscientious objector who refused to perform military duty, wear uniform, or obey orders
General court-martial
Officer resigns for the good of the service
Deserter
Alien during a period of hostilities who requested release during a period of hostilities
Absence without official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period of at least 180 days (subject to mitigating circumstances outlined in 38 C.F.R. §3.12(c)(6))

8. Regulatory Bars
Acceptance of an undesirable discharge to escape trial by general court-martial
Mutiny or spying
An offense involving moral turpitude (generally includes a felony)
Willful and persistent misconduct
Homosexual acts involving aggravating circumstances or other factors affecting the performance of duty

9. New Developments
Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016, Section 305 (H.R )
Bestows honorary “veteran status” for Reservists and National Guards members with 20 years of service
VA Secretary Shulkin’s VHA/OTH Initiative
VA rulemaking to amend regulatory bars of 38 CFR § with the following goals in mind:
More consistent, focused, and objective approach
Remove unused bar(s) (e.g. § 3.12(d)(5))

10. Questions? Initial Claim Filed Regional Office Review
Pre-decisional notice sent to service member
Admin Decision Review
Bars to Eligibility?
Defenses? (Insanity/
AWOL)
Decision Complete
Considered for each applicable period of active service
Dishonorable Discharge/Dismissal
38 U.S.C (a)
38 C.F.R (a)
M21-1 III.v.1.B.1.a.
Statutory Bar
38 U.S.C (a)
38 C.F.R. 3.12(c)
M21-1 III.v.1.B.2.a.
Regulatory Bar
38 C.F.R. 3.12(d)
M21-1 III.v.1.B.3.a
Conscientious objector
General court martial
Undesirable discharge to escape GCM
Mutiny or Spying
Officer resigns for good of service
Deserter
Moral Turpitude
Willful and Persistent Misconduct
Alien release during hostilities
AWOL,
at least 180 consecutive days
Homosexual acts
LIKELY OUTCOME:
INELIGIBLE for all VA benefits unless compelling circumstances found with statutory AWOL or found insane
INELIGIBLE for VA comp. unless insane; ELIGIBLE for VHA benefits unless bad conduct discharge.

11. Roselyn Tyson, Policy Analyst
Contact Information
Roselyn Tyson, Policy Analyst
(202)