Can you get VA benefits with a general discharge?

Generally yes. A general discharge under honorable conditions preserves access to most VA benefits, though it can affect GI Bill eligibility. An other-than-honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge bars most benefits, but a discharge review board may upgrade the characterization.

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What VA Benefits Do I Qualify For?

Q: What VA benefits do I qualify for?

Eligibility depends mainly on your character of service, your length and type of service, and whether you have conditions connected to service. Most veterans discharged under honorable or general conditions can apply for VA health care, education benefits under the GI Bill, and a VA home loan guaranty. Disability compensation additionally requires a condition connected to service. Only the VA can make an eligibility determination.

By the Boots and Bearings team5 min read

The VA website is comprehensive and almost impossible to navigate if you don't already know what you're looking for. This narrows it down. Six questions, then the specific applications worth starting and the order to do them in.

This does not determine eligibility — only the VA can do that. It tells you which doors are worth knocking on. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.

Question 1 of 6

What is your character of service?

This is block 24 on your DD-214. It gates almost everything else.

Question 2 of 6

Do you have any injury, illness, or condition that started or worsened during service?

Includes hearing loss, joints, back, sleep, and mental health. Most veterans undercount this.

Question 3 of 6

Do you want to use education or training benefits?

Question 4 of 6

Are you thinking about buying a home in the next few years?

Question 5 of 6

Where are you in the process?

Question 6 of 6

Is (or was) your separation involuntary?

This determines whether TRICARE continues at all after you leave.

Sources

TAMP duration and eligibility categories — TRICARE
SGLI 120-day continuation and VGLI deadlines — VA
Benefit applications and eligibility — VA.gov