Discharge Status and VA Loan Eligibility
'Honorable' isn't the only qualifying discharge. Most 'other than honorable' discharges can still qualify with the right paperwork.
Discharges that qualify
Honorable.
General (under honorable conditions).
Under honorable conditions.
Case-by-case
Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharges are reviewed individually by the VA. Many qualify, especially for veterans with combat service or PTSD/TBI as contributing factors.
Discharges that typically don't qualify
Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) from a general court-martial.
Dishonorable Discharge.
Both can sometimes be upgraded through a Discharge Review Board.
How to petition for a discharge upgrade
File DD Form 293 with your service branch's Discharge Review Board within 15 years of separation.
After 15 years, use DD Form 149 (Board for Correction of Military Records).
Veterans Legal Services organizations often help pro bono.
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