Source: http://essaydocs.org/chapter-determining-veteran-status-and-eligibility-for-benefit.html?page=4
Timestamp: 2020-04-03 17:53:45
Document Index: 25062178

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3', '§ 5303', '§ 1171', '§ 3', '§ 1171', '§ 1171', '§ 1171', '§ 1171', '§ 1171', '§ 1173', '§ 5303', '§ 5303']

4. Minimum Active Duty Service Requirements
the requirement for a minimum period of active duty
entitlement to VA benefits when the minimum active duty requirements are not met
a. Requirement for a Minimum Period of Active Duty
The minimum active duty service requirement of 38 CFR § 3.12a(a) must be met, in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 5303A, by all persons, including officers, who
been discharged or released from active duty under 10 U.S.C. § 1171.
Important: A Veteran may meet the minimum period of active duty without completing 24 months of active duty. 38 CFR § 3.12a (a)(1) defines the minimum period as
4. Minimum Active Duty Service Requirements, Continued
b. Entitlement to VA Benefits When the Minimum Active Duty Requirements Are Not Met
An individual who does not meet the minimum active duty service requirements is not eligible for any benefit under 38 U.S.C. or under any other law administered by VA except
benefits for, or in connection with, a SC disability or death
c. Exceptions to the Minimum Active Duty Requirement
Discharge under 10 U.S.C. § 1171
Allows for an early-out discharge within three months of the expiration of the term of enlistment or extended enlistment.
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 have one of the following narrative reasons for discharge on the DD Form 214:
“Overseas Returnee”
“Expiration of Term of Service,” or
“Completion of Required Service.”
c. Exceptions to the Minimum Active Duty Requirement (continued)
Discharge under 10 U.S.C. § 1171 (continued)
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 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.
Restrictions for Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) enlistments:
Discharge under 10 U.S.C. § 1173
Army: “Hardship” or “Dependency”
Marine Corps: “Hardship” or “Dependency”
Air Force: “Hardship”
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.
DD Form 214 is unclear as to the reason for discharge, and
discharge for hardship is alleged, but not stated.
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.
This discharge is issued to an individual who incurred a service-connected disability from an inactive duty training injury and is subsequently discharged or released from reserve status for that disability. The individual should be considered to have been discharged or released from active service.
d. Entitlement to Benefits Before Enactment of 38 U.S.C. 5303A
Entitlement to any benefit legally provided prior to the date of enactment of 38 U.S.C. § 5303A, October 1, 1981, based on minimum active duty service requirements in effect at that time, is not affected.
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.