Does a senior veteran who had a dishonorable discharge still qualify for medical benefits?

Midkid, you're kinda right. Always thought the same, but a friend found out recently for family member that the VA has certain circumstances under which a dishonorable discharge does NOT prevent you from getting services - the VA evaluates "character of discharge". But the veteran has to apply for benefits for his/her status to be evaluated. One can start by Contacting the VA www.va.gov, phone 1-800-827-1000

VA website states
"Applying for Benefits and Your Character of Discharge
Generally, in order to receive VA benefits and services, the Veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general). However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA."
There is also a fact sheet that can be read online at
http://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/docs/COD_Factsheet.pdf

If he was dishonorably discharged from the military, I would say probably not. Why would he be seeking money reserved for retired and honorably discharged veterans anyway? He's not entitled to it! Why would they give him any benefits at all if he was dishonorably discharge? It just doesn't jive.  I would definitely be ashamed of my country for taking money away from those who are entitled to those funds and giving it to someone dishonorably discharge from the military. We honor our veterans as a country that puts their lives on the line and even loses them to protect this country, it's they and their families who are entitled to those benefits, not  those who are dishonorable discharged from the military. He's not entitled to it, he should be ashamed to inquire about such benefits because they're going to see that  dishonorable discharge on his record and they could (if permitted) find out what he did if it's not recorded. He never should've done whatever it was that got him dishonorably discharged. Our country's money that's reserved for veterans is really for those with honorable discharge, not those hoodlums who were honorably dishonorably discharged from the military. He should be ashamed of himself for whatever he did that caused the dishonorable discharge and he should not be looking for veterans benefits that are rightfully for those with honorable discharges and even retirement from the military. Our country should not waste our money reserved for retired or honorably discharged veterans on those with dishonorable discharge. Hopefully whatever happened is a strong message for those enlisting in the military to never step out of line and get themselves dishonorably discharged, it'll hurt them later when it's time to start pursuing benefits, they won't get them and shame on anyone who would give them benefits anyway! It's our country's money, I say to those managing that veterans program to not waste the money our country does fund the government treasury for retired and honorably discharged veterans who are rightfully entitled to that money. Those dishonorably discharged from the military aren't entitled to it

Stern warning to future soldiers:

If you're going to enlist, don't do anything to get yourself dishonorably discharged from the military, it'll definitely hurt you later in life because the consequences will definitely hurt

You'd need to contact your local VA office for this. In my gut, I'd say no, but I'm often wrong.

My older brother had a "let's pretend this didn't happen" discharge from the army. He still used VA benefits, BUT it wasn't a DD.

IMHO, A DD means you essentially "failed" the army at some point. You have to supply discharge papers for ANYTHING regarding the military. My hubby recently had to show his to get a security clearance at an AF base. Luckily I have hung on to those. He was discharged in 1974!!

Usually to get a DD, you have to have done something pretty bad and there's no VA benefits of any kind. There's a reason it's called Dishonorable. Still, take his DD214 (discharge papers given to everyone getting out of the military) to the VA and see what they say. You never know with bureaucracy there. (Retired Navy here)

A veteran with a dishonorable discharge is not entitled to VA benefits. However, the Dept of Veterans Affairs or a Congressman may assist in applying for a change of discharge reason. A dishonorable discharge may be given for a variety of reasons some of which are merely infractions.

I doubt it. Would love to hear if he ends up getting benefits. When my disabled husband died, I was not entitled to his disability check. I fought for 5 years to obtain what I knew was rightfully mine, I was told that this happens. It usually takes up to 5 years to get what my husband died knowing I would receive. NOT! Because there were multiple things wrong with him, they said NO to me. Believe me, I know their game. They hoped I would die and go away. I had a vet on my side at the last hearing and the judge said she could not figure out why I had not received benefits. So much for that. He has been gone for 10 years now.

Are there benefits available for an honorable medical discharge? My husband enrolled in officer training school and was still in training when they discovered his knees weren't good. So he was only in for about 2 weeks, then discharged. As a side note, he is very patriotic and has volunteered with the local legion in their Memorial Day Services. He is now approaching retirement age.

Sorry, I withdraw that question and will post it properly.

They shouldn't. That said, my brother was stationed in Germany towards the end of the Vietnam war - and he was on drugs, dealing and put into the German prison.

He came back to the states when Germany deported him. I tell you all this because he received VA Benefits up til he died last year. He received benefits for about 30 years. My brother was 63 when he passed.

Ask ask ask. It never hurts to ask. You can also bring the veteran to the VA ER and just sit there until he's taken care of. Once he is in the system, he will receive benefits.

could also try vets advocate or someone whos been there, u will go thru hoops to get there, but it is possible. i know someone who had to go thru hoops to get his and he was HONORABLE DISCHARGE.