On occasion we have a Veteran or a family member of a Veteran wanting to file for Aid & Attendance Pension but their discharge is below a general discharge.  As we know, Veterans have to at least have a general discharge to qualify for pension.  What should you do if you find that a client has a less than general discharge?

Direct the Veteran or their representative to file a DD-149, Application for Correction of Military Record Under the Provisions of Title 10, U. S. Code, Section 1552.  This is only for Veterans that have been out of the military for more than 15 years.

The Veteran (if their discharge was with in the past 14 years) or, if the Veteran is deceased or incompetent, the surviving spouse, next of kin or legal representative, may apply for a review of discharge by writing to the military department concerned, using DD Form 293, “Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States.”

The Veteran or their representative should file the DD-149 themselves and can resume the pension process if successful in changing the discharge and they receive a copy of the updated DD-214 that documents the change in discharge status.