If an individual is discharged with an other than honorable discharge due to extensive AWOL, are they eligible for healthcare for service-connected conditions?

The individual discharged with an other than honorable discharge due to extensive AWOL is not eligible for healthcare for service-connected conditions. This is primarily because an other than honorable discharge typically means that the individual did not meet the standards of conduct expected of military members, which can impact their eligibility for benefits.

For veterans to be eligible for VA healthcare related to service-connected conditions, they generally need to have received an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions. The regulations stipulate that eligibility for healthcare benefits is directly related to the character of discharge, and other than honorable discharges often disqualify service members from accessing these benefits.

While it is possible for individuals to appeal for eligibility or for certain conditions to be reviewed, the straightforward answer regarding initial eligibility due to a discharge characterized as other than honorable is that they typically are not eligible. Furthermore, appeals for eligibility do not guarantee that the determination will change.

The length of service can impact benefits but is secondary to the character of discharge when it comes to determining eligibility for healthcare for service-connected conditions. Therefore, understanding that the nature of the discharge is pivotal in assessing benefits eligibility is crucial.