69 plain-English definitions of military and VA terms — DD-214, PACT Act, TDIU, MOS, MEPS, NCO, GI Bill chapters, HUD-VASH, SSVF, MST, IU, P&T, SMC, COLA, and more. Schema.org DefinedTerm markup. Free, CC-BY 4.0.
- DD-214
A federal form titled "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" issued to every US servicemember leaving ac…
- DD-215
A correction or addendum to a previously-issued DD-214. Used when errors or omissions are discovered.
- NGB-22
National Guard equivalent of the DD-214. Issued upon separation from National Guard service.
- Honorable Discharge
The highest character of service. Eligible for all VA benefits.
- General Discharge (Under Honorable Conditions)
Some VA benefits available; may bar GI Bill eligibility.
- OTH
Other Than Honorable. Most VA benefits limited or barred. May qualify after a discharge upgrade or character-of-service …
- Bad Conduct Discharge
Issued by court-martial. Most VA benefits barred.
- Dishonorable Discharge
Issued by general court-martial only. All VA benefits barred.
- C&P Exam
Compensation and Pension Examination — a medical exam VA orders to evaluate claimed conditions during a disability claim…
- VBA
Veterans Benefits Administration — the VA branch that administers benefits (disability, pension, education, home loans).…
- VHA
Veterans Health Administration — runs all VA hospitals, clinics, and vet centers.
- VRA
Veterans Recruitment Appointment — a hiring authority used to bring veterans into federal jobs.
- BVA
Board of Veterans' Appeals — the body that decides VA benefits appeals.
- CAVC
US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — federal court that reviews BVA decisions.
- NOD
Notice of Disagreement — the form filed to start a VA appeal.
- AMA
Appeals Modernization Act (2019). Created three appeal "lanes": Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, and Direct Revi…
- CDD
Claim Decision Document — the formal letter VA sends explaining a disability rating decision.
- DBQ
Disability Benefits Questionnaire — standardized forms physicians can complete to support a claim.
- PMR
Private Medical Records — non-VA medical evidence submitted with a claim.
- STR
Service Treatment Records — military medical records from your active service.
- Nexus Letter
A medical opinion connecting a current condition to military service. Often the difference between a granted and denied …
- Presumptive Condition
A condition VA presumes to be service-connected based on era and exposure (Agent Orange, Burn Pit, Camp Lejeune, radiati…
- PACT Act
Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (2022). Expanded presumptiv…
- Burn Pit
Open-air waste-burning sites used at US military bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other deployments. PACT Act presumes se…
- Agent Orange
A herbicide used in Vietnam (1962–1975). VA presumes service-connection for 17+ conditions including ischemic heart dise…
- Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps base in NC where drinking-water contamination (1953–1987) caused cancers and other illnesses. Camp Lejeune …
- Gulf War Illness
A cluster of unexplained chronic symptoms (fatigue, joint pain, GI issues) affecting Gulf War-era veterans. Presumptive …
- OEF
Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan, 2001–2014).
- OIF
Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq, 2003–2010).
- OND
Operation New Dawn (Iraq, 2010–2011).
- GWOT
Global War on Terror — collective term for OEF/OIF/OND and related operations.
- Post-9/11
Service after September 11, 2001. Special benefits including Post-9/11 GI Bill.
- MOS
Military Occupational Specialty (Army/Marines) — your specific job. Air Force uses AFSC; Navy uses Rate.
- AFSC
Air Force Specialty Code — Air Force equivalent of MOS.
- NEC
Navy Enlisted Classification — Navy equivalent of MOS.
- NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer — enlisted leadership (E-4 through E-9).
- Officer
Commissioned Officer — leadership commissioned by the President. Pay grades O-1 through O-10.
- Enlisted
Servicemember below officer rank. Pay grades E-1 through E-9.
- Warrant Officer
Specialist officer between enlisted and commissioned officer ranks. Pay grades W-1 through W-5.
- MEPS
Military Entrance Processing Station — where recruits complete physicals, ASVAB, and enlistment.
- ETS
Expiration of Term of Service — your contract end date.
- TAP
Transition Assistance Program — mandatory training before separating from active service.
- GI Bill
Federal education benefits for veterans. Primary versions: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 3…
- Chapter 31
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) — vocational rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
- Chapter 33
Post-9/11 GI Bill. Up to 36 months of education benefits + housing allowance.
- TRICARE
Health insurance for active-duty servicemembers, retirees, and their families.
- CHAMPVA
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA — health coverage for spouses/dependents of permanently disabled veterans.
- DEA
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance — education benefits for spouses/children of veterans permanently disa…
- DIC
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation — tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses/children/parents.
- Aid and Attendance
Additional pension benefit for veterans needing daily-living assistance.
- SAH Grant
Specially Adapted Housing grant — for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities to modify or build accessible …
- IU
Individual Unemployability — paid at 100% disability rate when service-connected disabilities prevent the veteran from w…
- HUD-VASH
HUD–VA Supportive Housing — vouchers + clinical services for homeless veterans. Joint HUD/VA program.
- SSVF
Supportive Services for Veteran Families — short-term financial assistance to prevent homelessness or rapidly re-house h…
- GPD
Grant and Per Diem — VA program funding transitional housing for veterans.
- VA Loan
VA Home Loan Guaranty — federally-backed mortgage available to qualifying veterans, often with no down payment required.
- VSO
Veterans Service Organization — congressionally chartered nonprofit that helps veterans file claims (VFW, American Legio…
- CVSO
County Veterans Service Officer — state-employed claims officer. Free service, available in every Texas/California/Wisco…
- Vet Center
Readjustment Counseling Service center — VA-funded community-based counseling specifically for combat veterans, MST surv…
- NVF
National Veterans Foundation — runs the LifeLine for Vets crisis line.
- PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. VA presumes service-connection in many combat-related cases. Top compensable condition.
- TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury. Often comorbid with PTSD. Common after blast/combat exposure.
- MST
Military Sexual Trauma — sexual assault or harassment during military service. VA provides free MST-related care regardl…
- 988 Press 1
The Veterans Crisis Line — call 988 and press 1 (or text 838255). 24/7 confidential.
- Combined Rating
VA "whole-person theory" math for combining multiple disability ratings. Two 50% conditions don't equal 100%; they combi…
- TDIU
Total Disability Individual Unemployability — same as IU. Paid at 100% rate when disabilities prevent gainful employment…
- P&T
Permanent and Total disability rating — locks the rating in (no future re-exams) and unlocks additional benefits includi…
- SMC
Special Monthly Compensation — extra payment for severe disabilities (loss of limb, blindness, requirement for aid and a…
- COLA
Cost of Living Adjustment — annual VA disability rate increase tied to Social Security COLA. Typically 2–9% per year.