This document outlines the eligibility for various military benefits based on the character of one's service discharge. Generally, those discharged honorably or under honorable conditions are eligible for most benefits administered by the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies. Those with undesirable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharges may be eligible for some benefits on a case-by-case basis as determined by the relevant agency, but are usually not eligible. The document provides a detailed breakdown of eligibility for specific benefits like healthcare, education, home loans, burial expenses and more based on the type of discharge received.

1. Benefits Based on Character of Service
Legend: E-Eligible NE-Not Eligible TBD-To Be Determined by Agency
Type of Discharge
Undesirable / Dishonorable /
Under Other Bad Conduct / Bad Conduct /
General / Under than Honorable Special Court General Court
Benefit Honorable Honorable Conditions Conditions Martial Martial
Benefits Administered by Department of Defense (DoD)
Payment of Accrued Leave E E NE NE NE
Death Gratuity (6 Mos. Pay) E E E E NE
Transportation Home E E E E E
Transportation of Dependents and Household
E E NE* NE* NE*
Goods to Home
Wearing of Military Uniform E E NE NE NE
Admission to Solder’s Home E E NE NE NE
Benefits Administered by US Department of Veterans Affairs. **
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) E E TBD TBD NE
Service Connected Compensation E E TBD TBD NE
Non-Service Connected Pension or Death Pension E E TBD TBD NE
Medal of Honor Roll Pension E E TBD TBD NE
Insurance E E E E E
Vocational Rehabilitation E E TBD TBD NE
Education (VEAP) E E TBD TBD NE
Education (Montgomery) E NE NE NE NE
Dependent Education (Ch. 35) E E TBD TBD NE
Home Loan program E E TBD TBD TBD
Burial in National Cemetery E E NE NE NE
Hospitalization & Domiciliary E E E/TBD*** TBD NE
Medical & Dental Care E E TBD TBD NE
Prosthetic Appliances E E TBD TBD NE
Guide Dogs and Equipment (Blind) E E TBD TBD NE
Special Housing E E TBD TBD NE
Automobile & Adaptive Equipment E E TBD TBD NE
Funeral and Burial Expenses E E TBD TBD NE
Burial Flag E E TBD TBD NE
Benefits Administered by other Federal Agencies†
Preference for Farm Loans (USDA) E E E E NE
Preference for Farm and other Rural Housing
E E E E NE
Loans (USDA)
Civil Service Retirement Credit E E NE NE NE
Re-employment Rights (DOL) E E NE NE NE
Job Counseling & Employment Placement (DOL) E E E E NE
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service
TBD TBD NE NE NE
Members (DOL)
Naturalization Benefits (DOJ-INS) E E NE NE NE
Old Age and Disability Insurance (Military credit)–
E E TBD TBD NE
SSA/SSDI (SSA)
* Dependents overseas may be returned to the United States.
** Assumes no statutory bar is applicable.
*** Treatment of service-connected disabilities permitted. No monetary benefits are payable.
†Agencies: DOJ/INS – Department of Justice / Immigration & Naturalization Service
DOL – Department of Labor
SSA – Social Security Administration
USDA – U.S. Department of Agriculture
More info for your County Veterans Service Office at www.cacvso.org and follow the “contact us” link.