VA & Military Glossary

The Air Force equivalent of an MOS. A code that identifies a specific job in the Air Force, such as 1A1X1 for Flight Engineer.

An increased pension benefit for veterans or surviving spouses who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating, or who are bedridden or in a nursing home.

A monthly payment to help service members cover housing costs. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, student veterans receive a BAH-equivalent housing allowance based on the ZIP code of their school.

Issued by a court-martial as punishment for serious offenses. Generally bars you from VA benefits, though you can request a discharge upgrade through your branch's review board.

A legal standard meaning that if the evidence for and against your claim is roughly equal (50/50), the VA must decide in your favor.

A small percentage added to your combined rating when you have disabilities affecting both arms, both legs, or paired organs. It recognizes the extra difficulty of having impairments on both sides of the body.

A written statement from someone who can attest to your condition, symptoms, or in-service events. Fellow service members, family, and friends can all write buddy statements.

The part of the VA that reviews appeals of benefit claims decisions. A Veterans Law Judge reviews your case and can grant, deny, or remand your claim.

A medical examination ordered by the VA to evaluate the severity of your claimed disability. The examiner's findings directly influence your disability rating. You do not choose the examiner.

A healthcare program for the spouse and dependents of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled, or for the surviving family of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition.

A document from the VA that proves to lenders you qualify for a VA-backed home loan. You can get one online through the VA eBenefits portal or through your lender.

The overall disability percentage the VA assigns when you have multiple service-connected conditions. Ratings are combined using VA math (not simple addition) so the total may be lower than you expect.

A program that allows eligible veterans to receive healthcare from non-VA providers when the VA cannot provide timely or geographically accessible care. Formerly called the Choice Program.

A fixed amount you may owe for VA healthcare services depending on your priority group and the type of care. Veterans with high service-connected ratings (50%+) generally have no copays.

A claim that a previous VA decision contained an obvious error of fact or law that, if corrected, would change the outcome. Successful CUE claims can result in back pay to the original decision date.

A standardized form that medical providers fill out to document the severity of a disability. You can have a private doctor complete a DBQ to submit with your claim.

The official document that proves your military service. It contains your service dates, discharge type, awards, MOS, and other critical information. Required for nearly all veteran benefits.

An education benefit for the spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled or who died in service. Provides up to 36 months of education benefits.

The date a service member is scheduled to leave an overseas assignment and return to a stateside duty station or separate from service.

A process to request a change in your discharge characterization through your branch's Discharge Review Board (DRB) or Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR). Important for veterans who may have been unfairly discharged.

The most severe discharge, issued only by a general court-martial for the most serious offenses. It permanently bars you from all VA benefits.

The VA's legal obligation to help you gather evidence for your claim, including obtaining military service records, VA medical records, and scheduling C&P exams.

The date the VA uses to start your benefits payment. It is typically the date you filed your claim or intent to file, or the day after your discharge if you file within one year of separating.

The number of months of GI Bill benefits you have available. Most veterans receive 36 months of full-time entitlement, which decreases as you use benefits.

The amount the VA guarantees on your home loan. Full entitlement means no down payment is required. Your entitlement can be partially used and restored when you pay off or sell the home.

The date your current enlistment or service obligation ends. Often used as a verb, as in "I'm ETSing next month."

A claim submitted with all supporting evidence already included. FDCs are processed faster than standard claims because the VA does not need to gather additional evidence.

Provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

Given when your service was satisfactory but did not meet all standards for Honorable. You still qualify for most VA benefits, but not the GI Bill.

One of three appeal lanes under the AMA. A senior VA reviewer takes a fresh look at your claim using the same evidence already on file. No new evidence is allowed.

The highest characterization of service. It means you met or exceeded the standards of conduct and performance. Required for most VA benefits with no restrictions.

A notice you submit to the VA to lock in your effective date before your full claim is ready. You then have one year to submit the actual claim while preserving the earlier date for back pay purposes.

Also called a VA Streamline Refinance. It allows you to refinance an existing VA loan to a lower interest rate with minimal paperwork and no appraisal required.

An older GI Bill program that pays a monthly benefit for education. Service members who opted in had $100/month deducted from their first year of pay. Being replaced by the Post-9/11 GI Bill for most veterans.

A code used by the Army and Marines to identify a specific job or skill set. For example, 11B is Infantry and 68W is Combat Medic in the Army.

A letter from a medical professional stating that your current condition is "at least as likely as not" connected to your military service. It is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a VA disability claim.

A formal document you file to tell the VA you disagree with a decision on your claim. Under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), this initiates an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

A discharge for serious departures from military conduct. You may be barred from many VA benefits, but can apply for a Character of Discharge determination for healthcare eligibility.

A designation meaning the VA considers your 100% disability rating unlikely to improve. Veterans with P&T status receive additional benefits and are generally not subject to future re-examinations.

The 2022 law that expanded VA healthcare and benefits eligibility for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. It added 23 conditions as presumptive for burn pit exposure.

An official relocation from one duty station to another. The military covers moving expenses and provides a housing allowance at the new location.

The most commonly used GI Bill. It covers tuition and fees, provides a monthly housing allowance, and gives a book stipend for veterans who served at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001.

A condition the VA automatically assumes is related to your military service based on when and where you served, without requiring you to prove a direct connection. Examples include certain cancers for burn pit-exposed veterans.

The VA assigns enrolled veterans to one of eight priority groups (1 being highest) based on service-connected disabilities, income, and other factors. Your priority group determines your copay costs and access to care.

The Navy and Coast Guard term for an enlisted job specialty, such as Boatswain's Mate (BM) or Hospital Corpsman (HM). Not to be confused with a VA disability rating.

When the Board of Veterans' Appeals sends your claim back to the regional office for additional development, such as getting a new exam or obtaining missing records, before making a final decision.

A grant for veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities to build, buy, or modify a home to accommodate their disability. The 2024 maximum grant is over $109,000.

A new disability that was caused or aggravated by a condition you are already service-connected for. For example, a service-connected knee injury causing a hip condition.

A disability or condition that the VA has determined was caused by or worsened during your military service. This is the foundation of VA disability compensation.

A mandatory transition program that helps service members prepare for civilian life, including resume workshops, VA benefits briefings, and career counseling.

A smaller grant than SAH for veterans with specific disabilities like blindness or loss of use of both hands. It helps modify an existing home to meet accessibility needs.

Additional compensation above the standard disability rates for veterans with severe disabilities, such as loss of use of a limb, blindness, or needing aid and attendance from another person.

A way to reopen a previously denied claim by submitting new and relevant evidence that the VA has not considered before.

A benefit that pays you at the 100% disability rate even if your combined rating is less than 100%, if the VA determines your service-connected disabilities prevent you from holding substantially gainful employment.

A temporary assignment to a location other than your permanent duty station. TDY is used by the Army and Air Force; TAD is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent.

The amount of time a service member has held their current rank. Many promotions require a minimum TIG before you can be considered.

The total amount of time a service member has spent in the military. Used for pay calculations, promotion eligibility, and retirement.

A one-time fee charged on VA home loans to help offset the cost of the program to taxpayers. The amount varies based on your down payment and whether it is your first VA loan. Veterans with service-connected disabilities are exempt.

The method the VA uses to combine multiple disability ratings. Each rating is applied to the remaining "healthy" percentage, not added together. For example, two 50% ratings combine to 75%, not 100%.

A program that helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. It can pay for education, training, tools, and even self-employment startup costs.

A voluntary program where participating schools and the VA split the cost of tuition that exceeds the Post-9/11 GI Bill cap. Only available to veterans eligible for the 100% benefit rate.