Veterans Administration To Extend Eligibility For Mental Health Care To Ex-Service Members With Other-Than-Honorable Discharges

During the summer of 2017, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to expand eligibility for VA mental health services to former service members with other-than-honorable (OTH) administrative discharges. There are an estimated 500,000 former service members with OTH discharges; many were discharged due to rule violations and behaviors resulting from mental health disorders. Once the initiative goes live, they would be able to seek treatment at a VA emergency department, a Veterans Medical Center, or by contacting the Veterans Crisis Line.

Typically, an honorable discharge is required to qualify for VA health care. VA Secretary David . . .