Most VA benefits limited or barred. May qualify after a discharge upgrade or Character of Service Determination.
An Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge is the least favorable administrative discharge (still administrative, not by court-martial). Most VA benefits are limited or barred. However, the VA can grant benefits via a "Character of Service Determination" if the underlying misconduct doesn't meet specific bars.
✓ Eligible for
VA healthcare for service-connected conditions (limited)
MST-related care (FREE regardless of discharge characterization)
Combat-related care under Vet Center programs (FREE regardless of discharge)
Some emergency mental-health services
✗ NOT Eligible for
VA disability compensation (in most cases)
GI Bill education benefits
VA home loan
VA pension
Most state veteran benefits
Notes
Character of Service Determination (COSD): the VA reviews the circumstances and may grant benefits if the underlying misconduct doesn't meet a "bar to benefits" (mutiny, espionage, prolonged absence, willful self-injury, certain felony convictions). COSD is filed automatically when you apply for VA healthcare or compensation.
Upgrade path:
File DD Form 293 (DRB, within 15 years) or DD Form 149 (BCMR, any time). Liberal Consideration policy SIGNIFICANTLY increases approval rates if the underlying issues were PTSD/TBI/MST/sexual-orientation related (currently ~50%+ approval rate for liberal-consideration claims). Free help: VA-accredited representatives, VSOs, and law-school Veteran Legal Clinics handle discharge upgrades pro bono.
In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Important: Crisis services are FREE regardless of discharge characterization. Vet Centers offer free MST and combat counseling for ALL discharges including OTH and BCD.
VA benefit eligibility by discharge characterization is established in federal law (38 USC §5303 and related). Always verify the most current rules at va.gov before filing. Free claim help available from VSOs (American Legion, VFW, DAV) and CVSOs in every U.S. county.