38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5303•38 CFR §§ 3.1(d), 3.12, 3.303

Confirm Statutory Eligibility and Discharge Status

Determine whether your military service and character of discharge meet statutory requirements under Title 38 of the United States Code.

Official Reference:DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)

Identify Your Potential Filing Pathway

VA determines eligibility under Title 38 of the United States Code. Select the service timing option that matches your current military or veteran status to review applicable filing routes.

Select your current service situation:

Character of Discharge Educational Guide

Title 38 U.S.C. § 101(2) generally requires service under conditions other than dishonorable. Discharge status selections below are educational and remain ephemeral in your browser tab. They are not saved to persistent storage.

Explore Discharge Characterization Context:

RatingScope does not make legal determinations. Official eligibility decisions are made exclusively by the Department of Veterans Affairs following formal application submission.

Non-Decisional Educational Analysis

This roadmap provides educational analysis based on published Title 38 CFR regulations. RatingScope does not adjudicate claims, assign disability ratings, or guarantee benefits. Official disability ratings and decisions are determined exclusively by the Department of Veterans Affairs.