


If you are discharged “other than honorable,” you still have a right to benefits, making the type of discharge very important. The only type of discharge that will disqualify you from VA burial benefits is a dishonorable discharge. The form acts to record that the vet was officially discharged from his or her service, and it also records the manner in which the discharge occurred. If there are certain actions you’d like to take regarding your military history, it is likely that you’ll need this form. Since January 1, 1950, the Department of Defense has issued these forms to veterans upon discharge.

The DD214 is formally called the DD Form 214.
