## Chapter 6. Determining Veteran Status and Eligibility for Benefits

#### 1. Determining Veteran Status 

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on determining        |
| troduction | > whether individuals are eligible for Department of    |
|            | > Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits by determining if they |
|            | > have veteran status. It includes information on       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the definition of a veteran                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   what constitutes *active* service                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   primary eligibility criteria                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   secondary eligibility criteria, and                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   service department findings that are binding on VA  |
|            |     with respect to service.                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > November 15, 2004                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > A ***veteran*** is a person who                       |
|  Definitio |                                                         |
| n: Veteran | -   served in the *active* military, naval or air       |
|            |     service, and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   was discharged or released under conditions other   |
|            |     than dishonorable.                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on the          |
|            | > definition of the term "veteran" for purposes of      |
|            | > compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation   |
|            | > (DIC) and death pension, see [38 CFR                  |
|            | > 3.1(d)](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_1.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

1\. Determining Veteran Status, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > *Active* service includes                             |
| ### b. Wha |                                                         |
| t Constitu | -   active duty                                         |
| tes Active |                                                         |
|  Service?  | -   any period of *active* duty for training during     |
|            |     which a person is disabled or dies from             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the   |
|            |     line of duty, or                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   an acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest,   |
|            |     or a cerebrovascular accident while proceeding      |
|            |     directly to, or returning directly from, a period   |
|            |     of active duty for training, and                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   any period of *inactive* duty training during which |
|            |     a person is disabled or dies from an                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty,  |
|            |     or                                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest, or a |
|            |     cerebrovascular accident that occurred during such  |
|            |     training or while proceeding directly to, or        |
|            |     returning directly from, such training.             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***References***: For                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   a definition of the term active duty, see [38 CFR   |
|            |     3.6(b)](http:/                                      |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_6.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   more information on definitions of active duty and  |
|            |     inactive duty, see                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   [38 U.S.C.                                          |
|            |     101(24)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu           |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000101----000-.html) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 U.S.C. 106                                      |
|            |     (d)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu               |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000106----000-.html) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.6(a)](http:/                                      |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_6.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.6(e)](http:/                                      |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_6.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c    | > The primary factor in determining basic eligibility   |
| . Primary  | > to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits is    |
| Eligibilit | > veteran status.                                       |
| y Criteria | >                                                       |
|            | > Eligibility for                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *live* benefits is based on the claimant's veteran  |
|            |     status, and                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *death* benefits is based on the claimant's status  |
|            |     as the spouse, parent or child of a deceased        |
|            |     veteran.                                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

1\. Determining Veteran Status, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d.   | > If initial review of the evidence available           |
| Secondary  | > establishes potential veteran status, consider the    |
| Eligibilit | > secondary eligibility criteria listed below.          |
| y Criteria |                                                         |
|            | -   Are the active service dates and character of       |
|            |     discharge verified?                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   If the evidence does not show a discharge under     |
|            |     conditions other than dishonorable, has VA made a   |
|            |     determination of character of discharge?            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Have the benefit-specific eligibility criteria been |
|            |     met?                                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***References***: For more information on             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   verification of service dates and character of      |
|            |     discharge, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart ii, 6.5   |
|            |     and M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart ii, 6.6              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   benefit-specific eligibility criteria, see M21-1MR, |
|            |     Part III, Subpart ii, 6.7.                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > In *[Spencer v.                                       |
| # e. Servi | > West](h                                               |
| ce Departm | ttp://152.124.238.193/bl/21/Advisory/CAVCDAD.htm#bms),* |
| ent Findin | > 13 Vet. App. 376 (2000), the United States Court of   |
| gs Binding | > Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) held that active   |
|  on VA Wit | > service dates certified by the military are binding   |
| h Respect  | > for the purpose of making determinations on           |
| to Service | > entitlement to benefits.                              |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > In the *Spencer* case, the veteran was discharged as  |
|            | > "an alcohol abuse rehabilitation failure" on February |
|            | > 14, 1983. Because of problems with the urine specimen |
|            | > that formed the basis for the discharge, a military   |
|            | > correction board corrected his records to show        |
|            | > continuous active duty service until August 15, 1985. |
|            | > The CAVC held that service connection could be        |
|            | > established for a disability incurred between         |
|            | > February 14, 1983, and August 15, 1985.               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 2. Duty Status and Eligibility of Reservists

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on                    |
| troduction |                                                         |
|            | -   duties of the Reservist                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the eligibility of the Reservist for compensation   |
|            |     and pension                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Reserve programs in which members serve full-time   |
|            |     in the Uniformed Services, and                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   developing claims submitted by Reservists.          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > November 15, 2004                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Generally, Reserve and Guard members without prior    |
| ## a. Duti | > active service undergo a period of active duty for    |
| es of the  | > training (ACDUTRA ), lasting from four to seven       |
| Reservist  | > months. This training may be taken in a single period |
|            | > or as two separate periods.                           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For information on National Guard    |
|            | > Service, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart ii, 6.3.      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > A Reservist may meet the criteria for establishing    |
| ## b. Elig | > veteran status for compensation and pension purposes  |
| ibility of | > if he/she                                             |
|  Reservist |                                                         |
| s for Comp | -   dies or becomes disabled from                       |
| ensation a |                                                         |
| nd Pension | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the   |
|            |     line of duty during a period of *active* duty for   |
|            |     training, or                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   an acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest,   |
|            |     or a cerebrovascular accident that occurred while   |
|            |     the person was proceeding directly to, or returning |
|            |     directly from, a period of active duty for training |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   dies or becomes disabled from an                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty   |
|            |     during a period of *inactive* duty for training, or |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest, or a |
|            |     cerebrovascular accident that occurred during such  |
|            |     training or while the person was proceeding         |
|            |     directly to, or returning directly from, a period   |
|            |     of active duty for training, or                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   performs full-time duty in the Armed Forces *other  |
|            |     than* active duty for training.                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

2\. Duty Status and Eligibility of Reservists, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Since the 1960's, the Reserve components have had     |
| # c. Reser | > several programs in which members serve full-time in  |
| ve Program | > operational or support positions but are never        |
| s in Which | > formally called to active duty. This type of service, |
|  Service b | > whether it lasts one day or three years, is           |
| y Reservis | > classified by the service departments as "active duty |
| ts Can Be  | > for training (ACDUTRA)." Such programs include the    |
| Considered |                                                         |
|  Active Du | -   Active Guard Reserve (AGR), and                     |
| ty for Pur |                                                         |
| poses of E | -   Active Duty Support (ADS) Program.                  |
| stablishin |                                                         |
| g Eligibil | > The term "full-time duty in the uniformed services"   |
| ity for VA | > is not defined in [38                                 |
|  Benefits  | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.l                            |
|            | aw.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sup_01_38.html) |
|            | > or [38 CFR](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookb.html).  |
|            | > However, an opinion issued by the General Counsel on  |
|            | > November 9, 1988, makes it clear that                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   despite the military's ACDUTRA classification, VA   |
|            |     has the authority to declare certain types of       |
|            |     service performed by Reservists to be "active duty" |
|            |     for the purposes of establishing eligibility for VA |
|            |     benefits, and                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   service in the Reserves meets the definition of     |
|            |     active duty if the facts of record establish that   |
|            |     the service was                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   full-time, and                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   for operational or support purposes, as opposed to  |
|            |     training.                                           |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d    | > Certain types of Reservist duty are clearly not       |
| . Types of | > considered "full-time duty in the uniformed           |
|  Reservist | > services." These types include                        |
|  Duty That |                                                         |
|  Are Not C | -   Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT)             |
| onsidered  |                                                         |
| Full-Time  | -   Annual Training (AT), and                           |
| Duty in th |                                                         |
| e Uniforme | -   Active Duty Training (ADT).                         |
| d Services |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

2\. Duty Status and Eligibility of Reservists, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Follow the steps in the table below to develop a      |
| e. Develop | > claim submitted by a Reservist.                       |
| ing for a  |                                                         |
| Claim Subm |                                                         |
| itted by a |                                                         |
|  Reservist |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Unless it is clear from the *DD Form 214, Certificate of     |
|       | Release or Discharge from Active Duty,* that the Reservist's |
|       | service is *not* "full-time duty in the uniformed services," |
|       | develop with the service department from the appropriate     |
|       | component listed in M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter  |
|       | 2.                                                           |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | -   Request the                                              |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   type of duty, and                                        |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   full-time status, and                                    |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   ask the service department to indicate whether the       |
|       |     service was                                              |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   operational or support duty, or                          |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   for training purposes.                                   |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3     | > If verification                                            |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   *is* received showing that the veteran's service was     |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   for operational or support services, go to Step 4, or    |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   for training purposes, go to Step 5, or                  |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   *is* *not* received from the service department and all  |
|       |     development is completed, go to Step 6.                  |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 4     | If it can be verified that the veteran's service was for     |
|       | operational or support services, then the service qualifies  |
|       | as active duty.                                              |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 5     | If it is verified that the veteran's service was for         |
|       | training purposes, then the service does not qualify as      |
|       | active duty.                                                 |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 6     | If the information needed cannot be obtained from the        |
|       | service department, contact the Compensation and Pension     |
|       | Service Procedures Development staff (212A) for further      |
|       | assistance.                                                  |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

#### 3. Duty Status and Eligibility of Personnel in the National Guard Service 

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on the duty status    |
| troduction | > and eligibility of personnel in the National Guard.   |
|            | > It includes information on                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   service by National Guard personnel in ACDUTRA      |
|            |     which does *not* qualify as active duty             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   qualifying service under 10 U.S.C.                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   qualifying service under 32 U.S.C.                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   verification of National Guard Service, and         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   cases in which National Guard personnel are         |
|            |     discharged for a disability.                        |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > April 19, 2005                                        |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The Army National Guard (ARNG) and the Air National   |
| # a. Natio | > Guard (ANG) operate full-time operational and support |
| nal Guard  | > programs similar to the Ready Reserves. However, [38  |
| Service in | > U.S.C.                                                |
|  ACDUTRA D | > 101(22)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu             |
| oes Not Qu | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000101----000-.html) |
| alify as A | > provides separate definitions of "active duty for     |
| ctive Duty | > training" for Guard personnel and Reservists.         |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > While the definition for Reservists permits the       |
|            | > interpretation that full-time duty for purposes other |
|            | > than training *is* active military, naval or air      |
|            | > service, the definition for Guard personnel does      |
|            | > *not* permit this interpretation.                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Therefore, full-time operational/support service      |
|            | > performed by Guard personnel in ACDUTRA status does   |
|            | > *not* qualify as "active duty" for purposes of        |
|            | > establishing eligibility for VA benefits *unless* the |
|            | > member or former member has a service-connected (SC)  |
|            | > disease or injury that was incurred or aggravated     |
|            | > during the ACDUTRA period.                            |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Exception***: For special provisions as to basic   |
|            | > eligibility for Loan Guaranty benefits, see M21-1MR,  |
|            | > Part IX, Subpart i, 5.                                |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***References***: For more information on             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   active duty for training, see [38 CFR               |
|            |     3.6(c)](http:                                       |
|            | //www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_6.DOC) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   inactive duty for training, see [38 CFR             |
|            |     3.6(d)](http:/                                      |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_6.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   active/inactive duty for training for National      |
|            |     Guard personnel, see [38 CFR                        |
|            |     3.7(m)](http:/                                      |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_7.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

3\. Duty Status and Eligibility of Personnel in the National Guard
Service, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > If a Guard unit, or an individual member, is          |
| ## b. Qual | > activated under the authority of [10                  |
| ifying Ser | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.la                           |
| vice Under | w.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sup_01_10.html), |
|  10 U.S.C. | > the members who report for active duty, which is      |
|            | > characterized as Federal Active Duty, have qualifying |
|            | > service for [38                                       |
|            | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.l                            |
|            | aw.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sup_01_38.html) |
|            | > purposes until deactivated.                           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > In some cases, a member may be ordered to active duty |
|            | > for training under the authority of [10 U.S.C.        |
|            | > 672(d)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu              |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00000672----000-.html) |
|            | > which constitutes "active duty for training" for [38  |
|            | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.l                            |
|            | aw.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sup_01_38.html) |
|            | > purposes. If an individual's orders specify           |
|            | > activation to temporary duty under [10                |
|            | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.la                           |
|            | w.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sup_01_10.html), |
|            | > further development regarding the purpose of the      |
|            | > activation is not needed *unless* there is evidence   |
|            | > in the file showing that the purpose of the           |
|            | > activation was to train the individual.               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > The order to active duty *must* state that service is |
|            | > under [10                                             |
|            | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.l                            |
|            | aw.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sup_01_10.html) |
|            | > This fact is frequently reflected on the *DD Form     |
|            | > 214*.                                                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Full-time National Guard service is considered active |
| ## c. Qual | > duty for training under [38 U.S.C.                    |
| ifying Ser | > 101(22)(C)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu          |
| vice Under | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000101----000-.html) |
|  32 U.S.C. | > if performed under [32 U.S.C.                         |
|            | > 316](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/                |
|            | uscode/html/uscode32/usc_sec_32_00000316----000-.html), |
|            | > or [32 U.S.C. 502, 503, 504, or                       |
|            | > 505](http://assembler.law.cor                         |
|            | nell.edu/uscode/html/uscode32/usc_sup_01_32_10_5.html). |
|            | > This is true regardless of whether the member is      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   performing operational duty, or                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   undergoing training.                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > National Guard service does *not* meet the definition |
|            | > of "active military, naval, or air service" under [38 |
|            | > U.S.C.                                                |
|            | > 101(22)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu             |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000101----000-.html) |
|            | > unless the member or former member is disabled during |
|            | > service and, therefore, subject to an exception       |
|            | > outlined in [38 U.S.C.                                |
|            | > 101(24)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu             |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000101----000-.html) |
|            | > or [38 U.S.C.                                         |
|            | > 106(b)(3)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/          |
|            | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000106----000-.html). |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Operational duty includes Active Guard Reserve      |
|            |     (AGR) and Active Duty Support (ADS), which apply to |
|            |     Guard personnel as well as to Reservists serving in |
|            |     these capacities.                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Since 1964, there has been authority, under [32     |
|            |     U.S.C.                                              |
|            |     502(f)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/           |
|            | uscode/html/uscode32/usc_sec_32_00000502----000-.html), |
|            |     to assign to full-time operational duty National    |
|            |     Guard members who provide full-time support to the  |
|            |     Guard components, even though they are not          |
|            |     activated.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

3\. Duty Status and Eligibility of Personnel in the National Guard
Service, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d    | > The type of National Guard service should be          |
| . Verifica | > identified on the *DD Form 214*. If the information   |
| tion of Na | > is not indicated on the *DD Form 214,* develop with   |
| tional Gua | > the appropriate component listed in M21-1MR, Part     |
| rd Service | > III, Subpart iii, 2 (TBD) or M21-1, Part III, Chapter |
|            | > 4.                                                    |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: If the *DD Form 214*, or the response to  |
|            | > development with the service department, indicates    |
|            | > that service was under both [10                       |
|            | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.l                            |
|            | aw.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sup_01_10.html) |
|            | > and [32                                               |
|            | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.la                           |
|            | w.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode32/usc_sup_01_32.html), |
|            | > consider the service to be under [10                  |
|            | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.l                            |
|            | aw.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sup_01_10.html) |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > An individual meets the definition of "veteran" if    |
| ### e. Nat |                                                         |
| ional Guar | -   the individual was injured while performing "active |
| d Personne |     service" in the National Guard                      |
| l Discharg |                                                         |
| ed for a D | -   the injury is compensable, *and*                    |
| isability  |                                                         |
|            | -   the individual was discharged or released from      |
|            |     active service.                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: The term "released" means that the        |
|            | > individual was returned to civilian status even       |
|            | > though he/she was not relieved of the obligation to   |
|            | > serve at a future time under [38 U.S.C.               |
|            | > 101(2)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/             |
|            | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000101----000-.html). |
|            | > The individual does not have to be discharged or      |
|            | > otherwise separated from the National Guard.          |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***References***: For information on what constitutes |
|            | > "active military, naval, or air service," see         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart ii, 6.1.b, and           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.6(a)](http:/                                      |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_6.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 4. Minimum Active Duty Service Requirements 

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on the minimum active |
| troduction | > duty service requirements. It includes information on |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the general policy regarding minimum active duty    |
|            |     service requirements                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   entitlement to VA benefits when the minimum active  |
|            |     duty requirements are not met                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   exceptions to the minimum active duty service       |
|            |     requirements, and                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   entitlement to benefits before the date of          |
|            |     enactment of 38 U.S.C. 5303A.                       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > November 15, 2004                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > The minimum active duty service requirement of [38    |
| a. General | > CFR                                                   |
|  Policy Re | > 3.12a(a)](http://                                     |
| garding Mi | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_12a.DOC) |
| nimum Acti | > must be met, in accordance with [38 U.S.C.            |
| ve Duty Re | > 5303A](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/              |
| quirements | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00005303---A000-.html), |
|            | > by all persons, including officers, who               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   originally enlisted in a regular component of the   |
|            |     Armed Forces after September 7, 1980, *or*          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   entered on active duty after October 16, 1981,      |
|            |     *and*                                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   have neither previously completed a continuous      |
|            |     period of active duty of at least 24 months nor     |
|            |     been discharged or released from active duty under  |
|            |     [10 U.S.C.                                          |
|            |     1171](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/             |
|            | uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00001171----000-.html). |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: In the case of a delayed enlistment, the  |
|            | > entry date for purposes of this provision is the date |
|            | > of entry on active duty, not the date of swearing in, |
|            | > which may have preceded actual entry into active      |
|            | > duty.                                                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b.   | > An individual who does not meet the minimum active    |
| Entitlemen | > duty service requirements is not eligible for any     |
| t to VA Be | > benefit under [38                                     |
| nefits Whe | > U.S.C.](http://assembler.l                            |
| n the Mini | aw.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sup_01_38.html) |
| mum Active | > or under any other law administered by VA except      |
|  Duty Requ |                                                         |
| irements A | -   benefits for, or in connection with, a SC           |
| re Not Met |     disability or death                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   insurance benefits provided by [38 U.S.C. Chapter   |
|            |     19](http://assembler.law.cornell.ed                 |
|            | u/uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sup_01_38_10_II_20_19.html), |
|            |     and/or                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   refunds of a participant's contributions to the     |
|            |     educational benefits program provided by [38 U.S.C. |
|            |     Chapter                                             |
|            |     32](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu                |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sup_01_38_10_III_20_32.html). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

4\. Minimum Active Duty Service Requirements, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > The table below outlines exceptions to the minimum    |
|  Exception | > active duty requirements.                             |
| s to the M |                                                         |
| inimum Act |                                                         |
| ive Duty R |                                                         |
| equirement |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| E        | Description/Restrictions                                  |
| xception |                                                           |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| D        | ***Description***:                                        |
| ischarge |                                                           |
| under    | Allows for an "early-out" discharge within three months   |
| [10      | of the expiration of the term of enlistment or extended   |
| U.S.C.   | enlistment.                                               |
| 1171]    |                                                           |
| (http:// | > ***Note***: This discharge is not available to          |
| assemble | > officers.                                               |
| r.law.co |                                                           |
| rnell.ed |                                                           |
| u/uscode |                                                           |
| /html/us |                                                           |
| code10/u |                                                           |
| sc_sec_1 |                                                           |
| 0_000011 |                                                           |
| 71----00 |                                                           |
| 0-.html) |                                                           |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
|          | ***Restrictions for persons in the Air Force, Navy and    |
|          | Marine Corps***:                                          |
|          |                                                           |
|          | This discharge is not available to persons in the Air     |
|          | Force, Navy and Marine Corps who are discharged with      |
|          | *less* than 33 months of service, as the minimum period   |
|          | of enlistment for these branches of service is three      |
|          | years.                                                    |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
|          | ***Restrictions for persons in the Army:***               |
|          |                                                           |
|          | This discharge is not available to persons in the Army    |
|          | who are discharged with *less* than 21 months of service, |
|          | as the minimum period of enlistment is two years.         |
|          |                                                           |
|          | ***Acceptable narrative reasons on DD Form 214***:        |
|          |                                                           |
|          | Most discharges under [10 U.S.C.                          |
|          | 1171](http://assembler.law.cornell.e                      |
|          | du/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00001171----000-.html) |
|          | have one of the following narrative reasons for discharge |
|          | on the *DD Form 214*:                                     |
|          |                                                           |
|          | -   "*Oversea Returnee*"                                  |
|          |                                                           |
|          | -   "*Expiration of Term of Service*," or                 |
|          |                                                           |
|          | -   "*Completion of Required Service*."                   |
|          |                                                           |
|          | > Accept a *DD Form 214* with one of these narrative      |
|          | > reasons and at least 21 months of service as proof of   |
|          | > discharge under [10 U.S.C.                              |
|          | > 1171](http://assembler.law.cornell.e                    |
|          | du/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00001171----000-.html) |
|          | > without further development. Any other narrative reason |
|          | > for discharge for an enlisted person who served at      |
|          | > least 21 months requires development to determine if    |
|          | > the discharge was under [10 U.S.C.                      |
|          | > 1171](http://assembler.law.cornell.ed                   |
|          | u/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00001171----000-.html). |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

4\. Minimum Active Duty Service Requirements, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  c\. Exceptions to the Minimum Active Duty Requirement (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| E        | Description/Restrictions                                  |
| xception |                                                           |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
|          | ***Restrictions for Public Health Service (PHS) and       |
|          | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)    |
|          | enlistments***:                                           |
|          |                                                           |
|          | This discharge cannot be authorized by the PHS and NOAA   |
|          | as only officers serve in those branches.                 |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| D        | ***Description***:                                        |
| ischarge |                                                           |
| under    | This discharge applies to an individual discharged for    |
| [10      | hardship.                                                 |
| U.S.C.   |                                                           |
| 1173]    | ***Acceptable narrative reasons on DD Form 214***:        |
| (http:// |                                                           |
| assemble | A *DD Form 214* issued for reasons of hardship must       |
| r.law.co | reflect a narrative reason for separation as follows:     |
| rnell.ed |                                                           |
| u/uscode | -   Army: "*Hardship*" or "*Dependence*"                  |
| /html/us |                                                           |
| code10/u | -   Marine Corps: "*Hardship*" or "*Dependency*"          |
| sc_sec_1 |                                                           |
| 0_000011 | -   Air Force: "*Hardship*"                               |
| 73----00 |                                                           |
| 0-.html) | -   Coast Guard: "*Hardship*"                             |
|          |                                                           |
|          | -   Navy: "*Hardship*" or "*Demonstrated Dependency*."    |
|          |                                                           |
|          | ***Note***: "*Demonstrated Dependency Not Meeting the     |
|          | Requirements of BUPERS Manual 3850/240*" does not denote  |
|          | a hardship discharge qualifying an individual for         |
|          | benefits under the law.                                   |
|          |                                                           |
|          | > ***Note***: Develop for cases in which                  |
|          |                                                           |
|          | -   *DD Form 214* is unclear as to the reason for         |
|          |     discharge, and                                        |
|          |                                                           |
|          | -   discharge for hardship is alleged, but not stated.    |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

4\. Minimum Active Duty Service Requirements, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  c\. Exceptions to the Minimum Active Duty Requirement (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Exception    | Description/Restrictions                              |
+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Disability   | ***Description***:                                    |
| discharge    |                                                       |
|              | This discharge is for those individuals who           |
|              |                                                       |
|              | -   are discharged or released from active duty for a |
|              |     disability determined to be SC without            |
|              |     presumptive provisions of law, or                 |
|              |                                                       |
|              | -   at the time of discharge, had such a SC           |
|              |     disability shown by official records which, in    |
|              |     medical judgment, would have justified a          |
|              |     discharge for disability.                         |
+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Compensable  | ***Description***:                                    |
| SC           |                                                       |
| disability   | This discharge applies to individuals with a          |
|              | compensable SC disability.                            |
+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d.   | > Entitlement to any benefit legally provided prior to  |
|  Entitleme | > the date of enactment of [38 U.S.C.                   |
| nt to Bene | > 5303A](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/              |
| fits Befor | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00005303---A000-.html), |
| e Enactmen | > October 1, 1981, based on minimum active duty service |
| t of 38 U. | > requirements in effect at that time, is not affected. |
| S.C. 5303A | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Example***: An individual issued a certificate of  |
|            | > eligibility for a VA home loan guaranty prior to      |
|            | > October 1, 1981, continues to be eligible for that    |
|            | > benefit even though his/her active duty service no    |
|            | > longer qualifies him/her under [38 U.S.C.             |
|            | > 5303A](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/              |
|            | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00005303---A000-.html). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 5. General Information Regarding Verification of Service and Character of Discharge

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains general policy and procedural     |
| troduction | > information on verifying service and the veteran's    |
|            | > character of discharge. It includes information on    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   general procedures for verifying service and        |
|            |     character of discharge                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   determining prisoner of war (POW) status            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   where to find detailed procedures regarding the     |
|            |     verification of character of discharge              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   considering travel time when verifying length of    |
|            |     service for eligibility determinations              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   payment of compensation prior to service            |
|            |     verification for veterans retired for length of     |
|            |     service                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   payment of nonservice-connected (NSC) burial        |
|            |     benefits, and                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   references for additional information.              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > November 15, 2004                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Verify active service dates and character of          |
| ## a. Veri | > discharge by first reviewing the available service    |
| fying Serv | > department records or other acceptable evidence of    |
| ice and Ch | > service in the claims folder. If a review of the      |
| aracter of | > claims folder indicates that                          |
|  Discharge |                                                         |
|            | -   the available evidence is incomplete or information |
|            |     is questionable, request further verification or    |
|            |     additional data via Personnel Information Exchange  |
|            |     System (PIES), or                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   no service department records or other acceptable   |
|            |     evidence is available, request verification and     |
|            |     information from the service department via PIES as |
|            |     provided in M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter |
|            |     2.                                                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Review the claim and the available service and        |
| ## b. Dete | > separation records for any indication that the        |
| rmining Pr | > veteran was a prisoner of war (POW).                  |
| isoner of  | >                                                       |
| War Status | > ***Reference***: If the veteran is a former POW, see  |
|            | > M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.G.                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. General Information Regarding Verification of Service and Character
of Discharge, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > For detailed information regarding the verification   |
| c. Where t | > of character of discharge, see M21-1MR, Part III,     |
| o Find Det | > Subpart iii, Chapter 2.                               |
| ailed Proc | >                                                       |
| edures Reg | > For information on making determinations about        |
| arding the | > character of discharge, see M21-1MR, Part III,        |
|  Verificat | > Subpart v, Chapter 1.                                 |
| ion of Cha |                                                         |
| racter of  |                                                         |
| Discharge  |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d    | > Under [38 U.S.C.                                      |
| . Consider | > 106(c)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/             |
| ing Travel | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000106----000-.html), |
|  Time When | > a serviceperson is considered to remain on active     |
|  Verifying | > duty after discharge or release for the period of     |
|  Service f | > time necessary to travel directly home. Travel time   |
| or Eligibi | > is determined by the service department, however, a   |
| lity Deter | > person is always considered to be on active duty      |
| minations  | > until midnight of the day of discharge or release.    |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Consider travel time in determining eligibility to    |
|            | > benefits requiring 90 days or 24 months of active     |
|            | > service. By adding travel time as certified by the    |
|            | > service department, the required period of active     |
|            | > service may be met. If there is a possibility that    |
|            | > the information regarding travel time may be          |
|            | > determinative, request the information from the       |
|            | > service department in accordance with M21-1MR, Part   |
|            | > IV, Subpart iii, Chapter 2.                           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: Do not routinely request certification of |
|            | > travel time if the records show that the veteran had  |
|            | > less than 80 days of active service. In these cases,  |
|            | > request certifications only if                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   travel time is put at issue by the claimant, or     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   unusual circumstances exist, such as an overseas    |
|            |     discharge.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > If the veteran is disabled or dies from an injury     |
| #### e. Re | > within 11 days after discharge from service,          |
| questing C | > compensation or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation |
| ertificati | > (DIC) may be payable.                                 |
| on of Trav | >                                                       |
| el Time if | > In these cases, or if travel time is put at issue by  |
|  a Veteran | > the claimant, make an inquiry to the service          |
|  Dies or I | > department as to whether the veteran was entitled to  |
| s Disabled | > travel time under [38 U.S.C.                          |
|            | > 106(c)](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu              |
|            | /uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00000106----000-.html) |
|            | > for the date and hour on which the injury or death    |
|            | > occurred.                                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. General Information Regarding Verification of Service and Character
of Discharge, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### f. D | > For PHS claimants, accept the dates shown on the      |
| etermining | > separation document as including travel time.         |
|  Travel Ti | >                                                       |
| me for PHS | > The PHS determines travel time prior to separation    |
|  Claimants | > and includes it in the active duty dates.             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Use the procedure in the table below if               |
| g. Payment |                                                         |
|  of Compen | -   the evidence shows that the veteran retired due to  |
| sation Pri |     length of service, and                              |
| or to Serv |                                                         |
| ice Verifi | -   medical records are available, but not all service  |
| cation for |     periods are verified.                               |
|  a Veteran |                                                         |
|  Retired f | > ***Note***: This procedure applies *only* to veterans |
| or Length  | > who are retired from the military for length of       |
| of Service | > service.                                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | -   Request verification from the appropriate service        |
|       |     department of unverified service periods via PIES, and   |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   maintain a 60-day control.                               |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Send the claims folder to the rating activity for action.    |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3     | If                                                           |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   service connection is granted, go to Step 4              |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   service connection is denied, go to Step 5, and          |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   no response is received from the service department      |
|       |     within 60 days, go to Step 6.                            |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. General Information Regarding Verification of Service and Character
of Discharge, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  g\. Payment of Compensation Prior to Service Verification for a Veteran
  Retired for Length of Service (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 4     | When service connection to a compensable degree is granted   |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   input data to process the compensation award             |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   enter the unverified EOD date from service medical       |
|       |     records or *VA Form 21-526,Veteran's Application for     |
|       |     Compensation or Pension,* in the [EOD]{.smallcaps} field |
|       |     on the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN)/SHARE 301 screen  |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   update the Beneficiary Identification and Records        |
|       |     Locator Subsystem (BIRLS)/SHARE Veteran Identification   |
|       |     Data (VID) screen to show                                |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   the service dates used on the BDN 301 screen             |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   "*UNK*" in the [SEP RSN CODE]{.smallcaps} field, and     |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   "*N*" in the [VERIFIED]{.smallcaps} field                |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   GAP                                                      |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   the authorizer will continue the end product (EP) for 60 |
|       |     days, and                                                |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   go to Step 6.                                            |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 5     | When service connection is denied or when service connection |
|       | is granted at a non-compensable degree                       |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   input data to process the disallowance                   |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   GAP, and                                                 |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   the authorizer will clear the end product (EP) during    |
|       |     CAUT.                                                    |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 6     | When no response is received from the service department     |
|       | within 60 days                                               |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   check the status of the request via PIES as outlined in  |
|       |     M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2.I.             |
|       |                                                              |
|       | When a response is received from the service department      |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   update the service data in BIRLS and the Master Record,  |
|       |     and                                                      |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   clear the EP control.                                    |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. General Information Regarding Verification of Service and Character
of Discharge, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### h.   | > If, during a veteran's lifetime, he/she was awarded   |
| Payment of | > VA compensation or pension, use the same evidence of  |
|  NSC Buria | > service relied on to authorize such payment to pay    |
| l Benefits | > nonservice-connected (NSC) burial benefits, if        |
|            | > otherwise in order.                                   |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > However, if there is reason to doubt the correctness  |
|            | > of the evidence, the evidence must be verified before |
|            | > payment can be authorized.                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 6. Forms of Evidence for Verification of Service and Character of Discharge

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information regarding forms of    |
| troduction | > evidence that may be used in verifying service and    |
|            | > character of discharge. It includes information on    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   acceptable forms of evidence                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   specific procedures for handling carbon copies of   |
|            |     the July 1, 1979, edition of *DD Form 214*          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   acceptable alternative evidence for verification of |
|            |     service, and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   using the BIRLS [VID]{.smallcaps} screen as proof   |
|            |     of service.                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > April 19, 2005                                        |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a    | > Consider only the documentary evidence of qualifying  |
| . Acceptab | > service listed below as adequate evidence of service  |
| le Forms o | > for eligibility determinations. This evidence is      |
| f Evidence | > submitted after separation from service.              |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: If the original document is received,     |
|            | > photocopy it, authenticate it as a copy of the        |
|            | > original document, and return the original to the     |
|            | > claimant.                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The original (copy 1) of                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   *DD Form 214* (only editions dated before July      |
|            |     1, 1979. The original of the edition dated July 1,  |
|            |     1979, is *not* acceptable evidence because it does  |
|            |     not provide all required information for an         |
|            |     eligibility determination.)                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *PHS Form 1867*, which is furnished by the Public   |
|            |     Health Service (PHS)                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *NOAA Form 56-16*, which is furnished by the        |
|            |     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration     |
|            |     (NOAA)                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   report of separation documents issued prior to the  |
|            |     implementation of *DD Form 214* that include name,  |
|            |     rank, service number, dates, character of service   |
|            |     and the veteran's signature, and                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   AHRC Form 1569, Transcript of Military Record,      |
|            |     which is furnished by the Department of Military    |
|            |     and Veterans Affairs. For additional information,   |
|            |     see [M21-1, Part III, Chapter 4, Addendum           |
|            |     4-A-12](http://www.warms.                           |
|            | vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part3/ch04.doc)[.]{.underline} |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   Any carbon copy of the original *DD Form 214* (any  |
|            |     edition) or other report of separation document.    |
|            |     (For procedures that apply to copies of the July 1, |
|            |     1979, edition of the *DD Form 214*, see M21-1MR,    |
|            |     Part III, Subpart ii, 6.6.b.)                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   A copy or abstract of the *DD Form 214* or          |
|            |     equivalent certified by a local or State government |
|            |     official whose office recorded the original service |
|            |     document. (A copy or abstract of the original       |
|            |     (copy 1) of *DD Form 214* dated July 1, 1979, is    |
|            |     *not* acceptable.)                                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

6\. Forms of Evidence for Verification of Service and Character of
Discharge, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. S | > Use the information in the table below to handle      |
| pecific Pr | > various copies of the July 1, 1979, edition of *DD    |
| ocedures f | > Form 214*.                                            |
| or Carbon  |                                                         |
| Copies of  |                                                         |
| July 1, 19 |                                                         |
| 79, Editio |                                                         |
| n of the D |                                                         |
| D Form 214 |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| If the copy of *DD   | Then \...                                     |
| Form 214* received   |                                               |
| with the claim is    |                                               |
| \...                 |                                               |
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Copy 3               | -   photocopy the document                    |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   authenticate the photocopy, and           |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   forward Copy 3 to                         |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | > *VA Data Processing Center*                 |
|                      | >                                             |
|                      | > *VADS (391A)*                               |
|                      | >                                             |
|                      | > *1615 East Woodward Street*                 |
|                      | >                                             |
|                      | > *Austin, Texas 78772*, and                  |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   annotate the photocopy with "*Copy 3 sent |
|                      |     to DPC (date)*."                          |
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Copy 4               | -   photocopy the document                    |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   authenticate the photocopy, and           |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   return Copy 4 to the claimant.            |
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Copy 5               | -   photocopy the document                    |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   authenticate the photocopy                |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   send the carbon copy to the               |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | > *U.S. Department of Labor*                  |
|                      | >                                             |
|                      | > *Unemployment Insurance Systems Design      |
|                      | > Center P.O. Box 44246*                      |
|                      | >                                             |
|                      | > *Capital Station*                           |
|                      | >                                             |
|                      | > *Baton Rouge, LA 70804*, and                |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   annotate the copy with "*Copy 5 sent to   |
|                      |     DOL (date)*."                             |
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

6\. Forms of Evidence for Verification of Service and Character of
Discharge, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  b\. Specific Procedures for Carbon Copies of July 1, 1979, Edition of
  the DD Form 214 (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| If the copy of *DD   | Then \...                                     |
| Form 214* received   |                                               |
| with the claim is    |                                               |
| \...                 |                                               |
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Copy 6, 7, or 8      | > retain the copy in the claims folder unless |
|                      | > the claimant has requested that it be       |
|                      | > returned.                                   |
|                      | >                                             |
|                      | > ***Note***: If the claimant requested the   |
|                      | > return of the document                      |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   photocopy the document                    |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   authenticate the photocopy, and           |
|                      |                                               |
|                      | -   return the original to the claimant.      |
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > ***Notes***:                                                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Authorized employees of the Veterans Service Center (VSC) can     |
|     authenticate photocopies of *DD Form 214*.                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Copy 2 of *DD Form 214* is retained by the appropriate service    |
|     department as the permanent record of the veteran's service.      |
|                                                                       |
| -   If the "Remarks" section of the *DD Form 214* contains the entry  |
|     "*Continuous active military service: XX-XX-XX\[Date\]*," service |
|     is verified from that date, regardless of any later date shown in |
|     the Enter(ed) on Duty (EOD) section of the form. A *DD Form 214*  |
|     with such an entry is acceptable proof of EOD and Released from   |
|     Active Duty (RAD) dates. Enter these dates in BIRLS and the       |
|     Master Record.                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > If one of the documents listed in M21-1MR, Part III,  |
|  Acceptabl | > Subpart ii, 6.6.a is not received in support of a     |
| e Alternat | > claim, verify military service by a BIRLS Inquiry     |
| ive Eviden | > (BINQ) command to determine character of discharge    |
| ce for Ver | > and separation reason.                                |
| ification  |                                                         |
| of Service |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

6\. Forms of Evidence for Verification of Service and Character of
Discharge, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > The BIRLS [VID]{.smallcaps} screen can be used as     |
|  d. Using  | > proof of service if *all* of the following apply:     |
| the BIRLS  |                                                         |
| VID Screen | -   character of service is *Honorable* (*HON)* or      |
|  as Proof  |     *Under Honorable Conditions* (*UHC)*                |
| of Service |                                                         |
|            | -   branch of service code is *not* *ARNG* or *ANG*     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   separation reason is *Satisfactory* (*SAT)*         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   there is a "*Y*" in the VADS field, and             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the veteran's RAD is 6/1/68 or later.               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: If there is no "*Y*" in the               |
|            | > [VADS]{.smallcaps} field or the veteran's RAD is not  |
|            | > June 1, 1968, or later, the [VID]{.smallcaps} screen  |
|            | > can still be used as proof of service if *all* of the |
|            | > following apply:                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   character of service is *HON* or *UHC*              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   branch of service is *not* *ARNG* or *ANG*          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   separation reason is *SAT*, and                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   there is a "*Y*" in the [VER]{.smallcaps} field.    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > If a claimant has submitted an alternate form of      |
| ## e. When | > evidence of service which cannot be accepted and      |
|  the Claim | > his/her military service cannot be verified           |
| ant Has Su |                                                         |
| bmitted an | -   send a denial letter which                          |
|  Unaccepta |                                                         |
| ble Altern | ```{=html}                                              |
| ate Form o | <!-- -->                                                |
| f Evidence | ```                                                     |
|            | -   explains the attempts to verify service, and        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   describes the acceptable forms of evidence, and     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   furnish notice of procedural and appeal rights.     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 7. Benefit-Specific Eligibility Factors

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### Int  | > This topic contains information on benefit-specific   |
| roduction  | > eligibility factors. It includes information on       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   general guidelines for reviewing and processing an  |
|            |     original application for VA benefits, and           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   factors to consider when making eligibility         |
|            |     determinations for                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   compensation                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   pension                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   death benefits                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   related benefits, and                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Chapter 18 benefits.                                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > April 19, 2005                                        |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a    | > In reviewing and processing an original application   |
| . General  | > for VA benefits, the Veterans Service Representative  |
| Guidelines | > (VSR) must determine if the claimant meets the        |
|  for Revie | > eligibility criteria for the specific benefits only   |
| wing and P | > after                                                 |
| rocessing  |                                                         |
| an Origina | -   veteran status has been established                 |
| l Applicat |                                                         |
| ion for VA | -   service has been verified, and                      |
|  Benefits  |                                                         |
|            | -   character of discharge has been found to be other   |
|            |     than dishonorable.                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: In order to verify service, review active |
|            | > duty dates and verify character of discharge by       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   reviewing the discharge document                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   obtaining verification by the service department,   |
|            |     or                                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   obtaining a VA administrative decision, when        |
|            |     necessary.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > If a claim is submitted for SC disability and         |
| ### b. Eli | > honorable active service is verified, compensation    |
| gibility D | > entitlement is determined by the rating activity.     |
| eterminati | >                                                       |
| ons for Co | > When a rating decision is completed, the decision     |
| mpensation | > indicates whether a veteran is entitled to            |
|            | > compensation and, if so, to what degree. In addition, |
|            | > the rating decision may include entitlement to        |
|            | > special monthly compensation and any related          |
|            | > benefits.                                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

7\. Benefit-Specific Eligibility Factors, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c    | > Basic pension eligibility is established if a veteran |
| . Eligibil |                                                         |
| ity Determ | -   served at least 90 days, part of which was during a |
| inations f |     wartime period, *or*                                |
| or Pension |                                                         |
|            | -   served any amount of time during a period of war    |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   was discharged for a disability incurred or         |
|            |     aggravated in service, or                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   had an SC disability at the time of discharge that  |
|            |     would have justified a discharge for disability,    |
|            |     *and*                                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   meets the minimum active duty service requirement   |
|            |     as provided under [38 U.S.C.                        |
|            |     5303A](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/            |
|            | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00005303---A000-.html). |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: If these eligibility criteria are met,    |
|            | > entitlement to pension payments based on disability   |
|            | > and income must be determined as outlined in M21-1MR, |
|            | > Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 1; M21-1MR, Part IV,     |
|            | > Subpart ii, Chapter 2 and M21-1MR, Part V, Subpart    |
|            | > ii, Chapter 1.                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***References***: For information on                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   SC disabilities at the time of discharge, see [38   |
|            |     CFR                                                 |
|            |     3.3](http:/                                         |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_3.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the specific requirements concerning minimum active |
|            |     duty service requirements under [38 U.S.C.          |
|            |     5303A](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/            |
|            | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00005303---A000-.html), |
|            |     see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart ii, 6.4.             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Based on the individual who files the claim for death |
|  d. Eligib | > benefits, consider the factors listed in the table    |
| ility Dete | > below.                                                |
| rminations |                                                         |
|  for Death |                                                         |
|  Benefits  |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  If...                               Then...

  the claimant is a surviving spouse  the veteran's service must meet the
  or child who has filed for death    basic eligibility criteria of
  pension                             M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart ii,
                                      6.7.c for pension.
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Continued on next page

7\. Benefit-Specific Eligibility Factors, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  d\. Eligibility Determinations for Death Benefits (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| If...                             | Then...                           |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| the claimant is a surviving       | refer the claim to the Rating     |
| spouse, child, or parent who has  | activity for a determination.     |
| filed for Dependency and          |                                   |
| Indemnity Compensation (DIC)      | ***Note***: If death occurred in  |
|                                   | service, see M21-1MR, Part IV,    |
|                                   | Subpart iii, 1.2 to determine if  |
|                                   | a rating is necessary.            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | ***Exception***: If a parent(s)   |
|                                   | income is excessive for DIC,      |
|                                   | disallow the claim without        |
|                                   | referral to the Rating activity.  |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| the claimant is a surviving       | the claimant's relationship to    |
| spouse, child or parent who has   | the veteran must be established.  |
| filed for death pension or DIC    |                                   |
|                                   | ***Reference***: For information  |
|                                   | on relationship, see [38 CFR      |
|                                   | 3                                 |
|                                   | .50](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/ |
|                                   | regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_50.DOC) |
|                                   | through [38 CFR                   |
|                                   | 3.                                |
|                                   | 60](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/r |
|                                   | egs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_60.DOC). |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| the claim is for a burial or plot | the specific requirements of [38  |
| allowance                         | CFR                               |
|                                   | 3.160                             |
|                                   | 0](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/re |
|                                   | gs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_1600.DOC) |
|                                   | must be met.                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Continued on next page

7\. Benefit-Specific Eligibility Factors, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Use the table below when making eligibility           |
| e. Eligibi | > determinations regarding related benefits.            |
| lity Deter |                                                         |
| minations  |                                                         |
| for Relate |                                                         |
| d Benefits |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Type of Related Benefit    | Eligibility Requirements                |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Automobile or other        | Requires SC disability which results in |
| conveyance allowance       |                                         |
| (one-time payment)         | -   loss, or permanent loss of use, of  |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | ```{=html}                              |
|                            | <!-- -->                                |
|                            | ```                                     |
|                            | -   one or both feet, or                |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   one or both hands, or               |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | ```{=html}                              |
|                            | <!-- -->                                |
|                            | ```                                     |
|                            | -   permanent impairment of vision of   |
|                            |     both eyes to a prescribed degree.   |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | > ***References***: For more            |
|                            | > information on payment and            |
|                            | > eligibility for automobile allowance, |
|                            | > see                                   |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   M21-1MR, Part IX, Subpart i, 2, and |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   [38 CFR                             |
|                            |     3.808](http://www.warms.vba.va.     |
|                            | gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_808.DOC). |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Specially adapted housing  | Requires SC disability that results in  |
| and special home           | prescribed limitations.                 |
| adaptation grants          |                                         |
|                            | ***References***: For information on    |
|                            | eligibility factors, see                |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   M21-1MR, Part IX, Subpart i, 3      |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   [38 CFR                             |
|                            |     3.809](http://www.warms.vba.va.     |
|                            | gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_809.DOC), |
|                            |     and                                 |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   [38 CFR                             |
|                            |     3.809a](http://www.warms.vba.va.g   |
|                            | ov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_809a.DOC). |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Restored Entitlement       | Requires a formal determination         |
| Program for Survivors      | concerning the veteran's death and      |
| (REPS) (Special allowance  | disability.                             |
| under *Public Law (PL)     |                                         |
| 97-377*, Section 156)      | ***References***: For information on    |
|                            | REPS, see                               |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   [38 CFR                             |
|                            |     3.812](http://www.warms.vba.va.     |
|                            | gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_812.DOC), |
|                            |     and                                 |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | -   M21-1MR, Part IX, Subpart i, 6      |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

7\. Benefit-Specific Eligibility Factors, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  e\. Eligibility Determinations for Related Benefits (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| Type of Related        | Eligibility Requirements                    |
| Benefit                |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| Vocational             | [38 U.S.C. Chapter                          |
| rehabilitation         | 31](                                        |
|                        | http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/uscode/htm |
|                        | l/uscode38/usc_sup_01_38_10_III_20_31.html) |
|                        | requires                                    |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   a combined SC disability evaluation of  |
|                        |     at least 20 percent, and                |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   an evaluation and determination of      |
|                        |     entitlement by the VR&E Division, or    |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   a combined SC disability evaluation of  |
|                        |     10 percent with a VR&E finding of a     |
|                        |     serious employment handicap.            |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | > ***References***: For information on VR&E |
|                        | > benefits, see                             |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   [M28-                                   |
|                        | 1](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M28_1.html), |
|                        |     and                                     |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   [38 CFR Part 21, Subpart                |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | A](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookg.html). |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| Dependents Educational | [38 U.S.C. Chapter                          |
| Assistance (DEA)       | 35](                                        |
|                        | http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/uscode/htm |
|                        | l/uscode38/usc_sup_01_38_10_III_20_35.html) |
|                        | requires                                    |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   permanent and total SC disability (This |
|                        |     means either a combined evaluation of   |
|                        |     100 percent or a total rating due to    |
|                        |     individual unemployability, both with   |
|                        |     no future examination.)                 |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   SC death, or                            |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   permanent and total SC disability at    |
|                        |     the time of death.                      |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | > ***Note***: Generally, a dependent must   |
|                        | > be established for benefit purposes and a |
|                        | > child must have completed high school or  |
|                        | > be beyond the compulsory age for school   |
|                        | > attendance.                               |
|                        | >                                           |
|                        | > ***References***: For more information on |
|                        | > DEA, see                                  |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   [M22-4, Part                            |
|                        |     VI                                      |
|                        | I](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M22_4.html), |
|                        |     and                                     |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | -   [38 CFR Part 21, Subpart                |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | C](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookg.html). |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

7\. Benefit-Specific Eligibility Factors, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Benefits for children of Vietnam veterans who are     |
| # f. Eligi | > born with spina bifida (Chapter 18 benefits) are      |
| bility for | > *not* dependent on the character of discharge. That   |
|  Chapter 1 | > is, regardless of the characterization of the service |
| 8 Benefits | > of the veteran parent, individuals may receive        |
|            | > Chapter 18 benefits if the necessary Vietnam service  |
|            | > and relationship requirements are met.                |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on eligibility  |
|            | > and development for Chapter 18 benefits, see M21-1MR, |
|            | > Part VI, 2.B.                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+