Vets' Corner: Benefits often rely on honorable discharge

If the discharge was less than honorable, VA will determine if the discharge was under other than dishonorable conditions, so long as it was not issued for any of the reasons constituting a statutory bar to benefits, such as a discharge or dismissal by reason of sentence of a general court-martial, or a resignation of an officer for the good of the service, etc. If VA determines that the discharge was issued under other than dishonorable conditions, the claimant is eligible to proceed with the claim for benefits. Otherwise, the claim must be denied.

Persons whose discharge from service was under other than honorable conditions may choose to apply for a review and upgrade of the discharge by the Service Department. This may be either by a Discharge Review Board or by a Board for Correction of Military Records.

The Discharge Review Board is empowered to determine whether the discharge or dismissal in an individual case should be changed, corrected, or modified under reasonable standards of regulations and discipline for that branch of service. The board does not have the authority to reinstate the applicant to service, nor can the board change reenlistment codes to permit the applicant to return to service.

In addition, if the other than honorable discharge was based on having been AWOL for more than 180 days, a recharacterized discharge by the board is not binding upon VA.  An application must be filed not later than 15 years after the discharge or dismissal from service.

Boards of Correction of Military Records are established to correct any military record, for the purpose of correcting an error in the record or to correct an injustice. Correction of a military record may include review of a discharge that was directed by a court-martial. A recharacterization of a discharge by a board as “honorable” or “general, under honorable conditions” is final and binding on VA for all veterans’ benefits purposes. 

The Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office.  We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms.  You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com.

Joe Wright, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call 852-2669; or e-mail joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us.