How to Apply for VA Health Care With an Other Than Honorable Discharge

Can you get VA health care with an Other Than Honorable discharge?

Yes, you may qualify for VA health care with an Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge. The discharge characterization does not automatically settle your eligibility. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may need to examine your service record and the circumstances of your separation.

VA encourages former service members with OTH or certain Bad Conduct discharges to apply for benefits and health care. You can begin with the online VA health care application.

If your discharge requires further review, VA can conduct a Character of Discharge determination to decide whether your service qualifies for VA benefits. This determination is separate from changing the discharge characterization recorded by the military.

VA also provides some types of care to eligible former service members who are not enrolled in regular VA health care. The available services depend on the circumstances and applicable eligibility rules.

How does your military discharge affect eligibility?

VA generally requires service under conditions other than dishonorable for most benefits. The characterization printed on your DD214 is important, but an OTH discharge does not necessarily mean VA will treat your service as dishonorable for benefits purposes.

VA's Character of Discharge guidance explains that former service members with OTH and certain Bad Conduct discharges may qualify depending on VA's determination.

What changed under VA's Character of Discharge rules?

VA issued revised Character of Discharge regulations that became effective on June 25, 2024. These changes expanded potential access to benefits for certain former service members who did not receive Honorable or General discharges.

The updated regulations include a compelling circumstances exception for certain regulatory bars and removed a former regulatory bar involving specified homosexual acts. The changes may allow VA to find qualifying service in cases that previously resulted in an unfavorable determination.

The exception does not eliminate every statutory or regulatory bar. VA still evaluates the applicable facts and law in each case.

Former service members who were previously denied benefits because of their discharge may be able to reapply and receive consideration under the revised rules. See the official VA Character of Discharge information.

Character of Discharge review versus discharge upgrade

These are two different procedures. Understanding the distinction can prevent unnecessary delays.

You do not need to wait for a military discharge upgrade before applying for VA health care. VA states that when a former service member applies for benefits, it reviews the service record to determine whether the discharge meets VA's eligibility standards.

You may pursue a military discharge upgrade separately, including while VA considers your eligibility. VA's discharge upgrade guidance explains the distinction and how to request a review.

Can you request a VA review without applying for benefits?

Yes. VA explains that a former service member who is not currently applying for benefits may request a Character of Discharge review in writing.

VA identifies the Ask VA online contact service and a written request sent to its Evidence Intake Center as available routes. Its published mailing address is:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Evidence Intake Center
P.O. Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444

However, if your immediate goal is health care, submitting the VA health care application is the practical first step. A separate request is not automatically required before applying.

How to apply for VA health care online

The official enrollment application is VA Form 10-10EZ, Enrollment Application for Health Benefits. VA offers an online application, including an option to start without signing in.

1. Open the VA health care application portal.
2. Review the eligibility information and start the application.
3. Provide your personal information, Social Security number, and applicable family details.
4. Enter military service history and accurately identify your discharge characterization.
5. Provide health insurance information and relevant household financial information when requested.
6. Upload discharge or separation documents if needed and available.
7. Review your answers and submit the application.
8. Keep the confirmation and watch for requests for additional information or a decision letter.

VA estimates that completing the online application takes about 35 minutes. The time needed may vary depending on your records and circumstances.

VA's Form 10-10EZ page also provides the current paper application.

Other ways to submit your VA health care application

If you cannot or prefer not to apply online, VA offers several alternatives.

Apply by phone

Call 877-222-8387 (877-222-VETS). VA's health care application assistance line operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Apply by mail

Download and complete VA Form 10-10EZ. Sign and date the form, and send it to:

Health Eligibility Center
P.O. Box 5207
Janesville, WI 53547-5207

If a person acting under a power of attorney signs the form, include the required authorization. If the applicant signs with an X, VA requires two witnesses who know the applicant to sign and print their names.

Apply in person

Bring a completed and signed Form 10-10EZ to a VA medical center or clinic. VA also allows applicants to seek help from an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative.

See the VA application instructions for the current submission methods.

What records should you prepare if you have an OTH discharge?

Start with your DD214 or other separation records. These documents help establish your military service dates, branch, and discharge characterization.

If VA initiates a Character of Discharge review, it may request additional records or evidence about the circumstances of separation. Relevant information can include:

• Service personnel records and discharge-related documents.
• A factual account of the events that led to separation.
• Medical or mental health evidence relevant to those events.
• Information about combat service or other circumstances VA may consider under its regulations.
• Documents addressing circumstances such as military sexual trauma, harassment, discrimination, or other relevant service experiences.
• Prior VA determinations or correspondence, if available.

These are examples of potentially useful evidence, not a universal checklist. VA determines what information it needs for the individual review.

Missing records should not automatically prevent you from starting an application. VA can request additional information during its review. If you need a replacement separation record, see the Helpydo guide to requesting your DD214 or military service records.

How long does the VA eligibility decision take?

VA states that it generally processes ordinary health care applications in less than one week. If more than a week passes without a decision, VA advises applicants to call 877-222-8387 rather than submit a duplicate application.

An OTH discharge may require a separate Character of Discharge determination. VA states that this review can take up to one year, so it may substantially extend the overall decision process.

These are different processes and should not be confused. A typical enrollment processing estimate does not mean a discharge-related eligibility review will be completed in the same period.

VA will communicate its decision and may request additional evidence. Read correspondence carefully and respond to requests for documents.

Can you receive VA care before your discharge review is completed?

Possibly. VA identifies several categories of care that may be available to qualifying former service members with an OTH discharge even without enrollment in the full VA health care system.

Depending on individual circumstances, these may include:

• Care for a VA-rated service-connected disability.
• Care for conditions related to sexual assault or harassment experienced during military service.
• Certain mental or behavioral health services for former service members meeting specified service requirements.
• Emergency mental health services for qualifying individuals in crisis.
• Counseling at a Vet Center.

For some mental and behavioral health services, VA identifies a qualifying category involving at least 100 days of military service and service in a combat theater or piloting a drone in a combat theater. This is not a general eligibility rule for every VA health care service.

Review VA's OTH discharge benefits guidance and ask VA which services are available in your circumstances.

What if you need mental health care immediately?

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. VA also advises Veterans in crisis that they may go directly to a VA medical center regardless of discharge status or current enrollment.

The Veterans Crisis Line is available by calling 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.

VA may provide or cover qualifying emergency mental health care and up to 90 days of related services for certain eligible former service members who are not enrolled. Eligibility for payment depends on the specific statutory and program requirements.

Read VA's suicide prevention and emergency mental health guidance.

What happens after VA approves enrollment?

If VA approves your application, it will provide enrollment information and explain your health care eligibility. The services available and any required copayments depend on your individual circumstances and VA priority group.

Approval does not necessarily mean that every health service is free. VA considers factors such as service-connected disability status, income, and applicable eligibility rules when determining costs.

If you also have a disability caused or aggravated by military service, a separate VA disability compensation claim may be relevant. See the Helpydo guide to filing a VA disability compensation claim. This is not a substitute for submitting Form 10-10EZ to request health care enrollment.

What if VA denies your health care application?

If VA denies your application, read the written decision carefully. It should explain the reason for the decision and provide instructions about available review options.

VA identifies three main types of health benefits decision review, subject to the applicable rules:

• Supplemental Claim: Use this route when you have new and relevant evidence that VA did not previously consider.
• Higher-Level Review: Ask a higher-level reviewer to reconsider the decision using the existing evidence. VA Form 20-0996 is the official request form.
• Board Appeal: Request review by a Veterans Law Judge using VA Form 10182.

VA generally requires a Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal to be initiated within one year of the decision for the health benefits decisions covered by its published review guidance. Follow the instructions and deadline in your actual decision notice, because the available review route depends on the decision.

VA's health benefits appeals guidance explains the options. You may also seek assistance from a VA-accredited representative.

What if VA denied benefits under older discharge rules?

VA's revised Character of Discharge regulations became effective June 25, 2024. VA encourages certain former service members previously denied benefits to reapply for consideration under the updated rules.

Reapplying and requesting review of an existing decision are not always the same process. If you have a recent decision, examine the decision notice and available review deadlines before choosing a route. If the denial occurred under older rules, contact VA or an accredited representative about the appropriate next step.

Common mistakes that can delay an eligibility decision

• Assuming OTH means automatic denial: VA may find qualifying service after a Character of Discharge review.
• Waiting for a discharge upgrade: A military discharge upgrade is not a prerequisite to applying for VA benefits.
• Confusing the two review processes: VA's Character of Discharge determination does not change the discharge recorded on your DD214.
• Leaving out discharge details: Provide accurate service and separation information and respond to requests for supporting records.
• Expecting a one-week decision in every case: Discharge-related reviews may take substantially longer than routine health care enrollment.
• Overlooking limited services: Some qualifying mental health and other services may be available without regular enrollment.
• Ignoring decision review deadlines: Read VA's decision letter promptly if eligibility is denied.

Official resources and application links

• VA Health Care Online Application — submit Form 10-10EZ electronically.
• VA Form 10-10EZ — official enrollment form.
• How to Apply for VA Health Care — application methods, mailing address and required information.
• VA Health Care Eligibility — service and discharge requirements.
• Character of Discharge Guidance — eligibility review and regulatory changes.
• Discharge Upgrade and Character of Discharge Review — separate review routes.
• Benefits Available With an OTH Discharge — services potentially available without enrollment.
• VA Health Benefits Decision Reviews — options after an unfavorable decision.