requesting records related to facts and circumstances of discharge required records for a COD determination insufficient records for a COD determination, and COD determination template. Change Date March 10, 2016 A character of discharge (COD) must be under other than a. COD Veteran’s Requirement dishonorable conditions to establish eligibility for Department of Veterans for Benefit Affairs (VA) benefits based on that service. individual’s military Eligibility A dishonorable discharge or a statutory bar pertaining to a period of service deprives a claimant of all VA benefits for any claim based on that period of service. A dishonorable discharge or statutory bar is binding on VA if Exception: not it is determined that the individual was insane when committing the acts which resulted in the discharge. A COD under other than honorable (OTH) conditions is the same Note: not as dishonorable and does deprive the claimant of all benefits. not For more information on References: conditions of discharge and eligibility for VA benefits, see , and insanity, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 1.E, and statutory bar, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 1.B.4.b, and the definition of the term Veteran, see , or . b. When COD An individual is entitled to full rights and benefits of programs administered is Binding on by VA, unless there is a bar to benefits under . Normally, the military’s VA characterization of service is binding on VA if the discharge is honorable under honorable conditions (UHC), or general. Any character of service listed above is binding on VA, irrespective of Note: the separation reason, unless the separation reason is one listed as a bar to benefits under , or the claimant has been convicted of a “subversive activity”
requesting records related to facts and circumstances of discharge required records for a COD determination insufficient records for a COD determination, and COD determination template. Change Date March 10, 2016 a. COD Requirement for Benefit Eligibility A Veteran’s character of discharge (COD) must be under other than dishonorable conditions to establish eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits based on that individual’s military service. A dishonorable discharge or a statutory bar pertaining to a period of service deprives a claimant of all VA benefits for any claim based on that period of service. Exception: A dishonorable discharge or statutory bar is not binding on VA if it is determined that the individual was insane when committing the acts which resulted in the discharge. Note: A COD under other than honorable (OTH) conditions is not the same as dishonorable and does not deprive the claimant of all benefits. References: For more information on conditions of discharge and eligibility for VA benefits, see , and insanity, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 1.E, and statutory bar, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 1.B.4.b, and the definition of the term Veteran, see , or . b. When COD is Binding on VA An individual is entitled to full rights and benefits of programs administered by VA, unless there is a bar to benefits under . Normally, the military’s characterization of service is binding on VA if the discharge is honorable under honorable conditions (UHC), or general. Note: Any character of service listed above is binding on VA, irrespective of the separation reason, unless the separation reason is one listed as a bar to benefits under , or the claimant has been convicted of a “subversive activity”
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