When you leave the military, your discharge type decides what benefits you can get. A military discharge benefits chart shows exactly what you’re entitled to based on how you left the service—whether it’s honorable, general, medical, or something else.
This article will break it all down for you in simple terms. We’ll look at different discharge types, what benefits they offer, and how they affect your life after the military. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of your entitlements as of today.
What Is a Military Discharge?
A military discharge is when you officially leave the armed forces. It’s like getting a report card that says how you did while serving. The type of discharge you get—honorable, general, or dishonorable—changes what benefits you can claim. These benefits can include healthcare, education money, or even a home loan from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Every discharge comes with a paper called a DD-214. This form shows your discharge status and is super important for getting benefits. Think of it as your key to unlocking help from the government after you’re done serving.
Types of Military Discharges
There are several types of military discharges, and each one affects your benefits differently. Here’s a quick list to get us started:
- Honorable Discharge: The best kind. You did a great job!
- General Discharge: Okay, but not perfect. You get some benefits.
- Other Than Honorable (OTH) Discharge: Not so good. Benefits are limited.
- Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD): Pretty serious. You lose most benefits.
- Dishonorable Discharge: The worst. Almost no benefits at all.
- Medical Discharge: Happens if you get sick or hurt and can’t serve anymore.
Now, let’s dive deeper into each one and see what they mean for you.
Honorable Discharge Military Benefits
An honorable discharge is like getting an A+ on your military report card. It means you met or beat all the rules and did your job well. If you have this, you’re entitled to the full range of military benefits.
You can get VA healthcare, money for college through the GI Bill, and even a VA home loan with no down payment. Plus, you might qualify for disability pay if you got hurt while serving. For example, as of 2025, veterans with a 100% disability rating can get over $3,800 a month. That’s a big help!
General Discharge Military Benefits
A general discharge (sometimes called general discharge under honorable conditions) is like a B grade. It means you did okay, but maybe you had some small problems—like being late a lot or breaking minor rules. You get some benefits, but not everything.
With a general discharge, you can usually use VA healthcare and apply for disability pay. But things like the GI Bill might not be automatic. The VA looks at your case to decide. So, can you get military benefits with a general discharge? Yes, but it depends on the details.
Other Than Honorable Discharge Benefits
An other than honorable (OTH) discharge happens when you mess up more seriously—like using drugs or getting into fights. It’s not the worst, but it’s not great either. Benefits for other than honorable military discharge are tricky because you don’t automatically get much.
You might get VA healthcare if your problem was connected to your service, like mental health issues from combat. But things like education money or home loans are usually off the table unless the VA makes a special decision for you.
Bad Conduct Discharge Military Benefits
A bad conduct discharge (BCD) is a punishment from a military court. It’s for big mistakes, like stealing or hurting someone on purpose. Military bad conduct discharge benefits are very limited.
You lose most VA benefits, like college money and home loans. You might get healthcare for injuries from your service, but only if the VA says yes after looking at your case. It’s a tough spot to be in.
Dishonorable Discharge Military Benefits
A dishonorable discharge is the lowest mark you can get. It’s for really bad actions, like deserting (running away) or committing a serious crime. Can you get military benefits with a dishonorable discharge? Almost never.
Do dishonorable discharges get military benefits? No, you lose pretty much everything—healthcare, disability pay, education help, all of it. Dishonorable discharge from military loss of benefits is total, making life after the military much harder.
Medical Discharge Military Benefits
A military medical discharge happens when you can’t serve anymore because of sickness or injury—like a bad back or PTSD. It’s not about being good or bad; it’s about your health. Benefits of a medical discharge from the military can be really good.
If it’s under honorable conditions, you get full VA benefits like healthcare, disability pay, and the GI Bill. Do I keep military benefits if medically discharged? Yes, as long as your discharge isn’t dishonorable. Medical discharge military benefits often include extra help, like money if your injury was from service.
Military Discharge Benefits Chart
Here’s a simple table to compare what you get with each discharge type. This is your military discharge benefits chart for 2025:
| Discharge Type | VA Healthcare | GI Bill | VA Home Loan | Disability Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honorable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| General (Honorable Cond.) | Yes* | Maybe* | Maybe* | Yes* |
| Other Than Honorable (OTH) | Maybe* | No | No | Maybe* |
| Bad Conduct (BCD) | Maybe* | No | No | Maybe* |
| Dishonorable | No | No | No | No |
| Medical (Honorable) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*Maybe means the VA decides case-by-case.
This military discharges and benefits chart shows how your discharge status controls your future. Let’s explore more details next.
How Discharge Status Affects VA Benefits
Your military discharge status and benefits are tied together. The VA uses your DD-214 to figure out what you deserve. Military discharge va benefits depend on whether your service was “under honorable conditions” or not.
For example, can you get military benefits if honorable discharge? Yes, you get it all! But can you get military benefits if you are dishonorably discharged? Nope, you’re mostly out of luck. Military discharge types and benefits vary, so knowing your status is key.
Benefits for Specific Situations
Some situations change what benefits you get. Here are a few examples:
- Military hardship discharge benefits: If you left to care for family, you might get benefits if it’s honorable.
- Chapter 13 military discharge benefits: This is a specific Army rule for leaving early—it depends on your discharge type.
- Discharge military benefits for child of deceased parent: Kids of veterans who died might get education help, even if the discharge wasn’t great.
These special cases show how flexible benefits can be.
Military Benefits After Discharge
What about life after you leave? Military benefits after discharge depend on your record. Military benefits after honorable discharge include healthcare and job help. Military benefits after medical discharge might add disability pay.
But military benefits for undesirable discharge (like OTH or BCD) are slim. You might wonder, do you get military benefits if discharged? It’s all about that discharge type on your DD-214.
Spousal and Family Benefits
Your family might get benefits too. Military spouse benefits after discharge depend on your status. With an honorable discharge, your spouse could get healthcare or education help. Benefits entitled to discharged military spouse shrink with worse discharges.
Spouse benefits medical discharge military might include extra support if you’re hurt. But spousal military benefits if dishonorably discharged? They’re usually gone.
Unemployment Benefits After Military Discharge
Can you get money while looking for a job? Military discharge unemployment benefits are available if you left under good terms—like honorable or general. Unemployment benefits after military discharge won’t work with a dishonorable discharge.
This help can give you time to find work after serving.
Comparing Military Discharge Benefits Chart Army vs. Other Branches
Is the military discharge benefits chart army different from the Navy or Air Force? Not really. All branches follow the same VA rules. Your military discharge benefits chart looks the same whether you were Army, Navy, or Marines.
Here’s another table to show benefits across branches for 2025:
| Branch | Honorable Benefits | General Benefits | OTH Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | Full VA benefits | Some VA benefits | Limited |
| Navy | Full VA benefits | Some VA benefits | Limited |
| Air Force | Full VA benefits | Some VA benefits | Limited |
| Marines | Full VA benefits | Some VA benefits | Limited |
The rules are consistent, so your branch doesn’t change much.
Can You Get Benefits If Discharged Early?
What if you didn’t finish your term? Can a just discharged military get government benefits? Yes, if it’s honorable or medical. Can you get military benefits if discharged due to reduction (like a force cut)? Usually, if it’s not your fault, you’re okay.
Early discharge doesn’t always mean fewer benefits—it’s about why you left.
List of Military Benefits After Discharge
Here’s a handy list of common benefits you might get:
- Healthcare from the VA.
- Money for school (GI Bill).
- Home loans with no down payment.
- Disability pay for injuries.
- Job training programs.
These depend on your discharge, so check your DD-214!
What If You Disagree With Your Discharge?
If you think your discharge is wrong, you can appeal. You have 15 years to contact a Discharge Review Board. Show them letters from friends or doctors to change it.
Changing your discharge can open up more benefits. It’s definitely worth trying!
Final Thoughts on Military Discharge Benefits
Your military discharge benefits chart is your guide after service. It shows what you get, like honorable discharge military benefits or general discharge from military benefits. It all depends on your DD-214. These rules are true as of today.
Check your status, talk to the VA, and know your rights. You earned these benefits. Make sure you get them!
