From Stars & Stripes:
Democrats ask DOD to allow ousted gays to appeal for honorable discharge (http://www.stripes.com/news/democrats-ask-dod-to-allow-ousted-gays-to-appeal-for-honorable-discharge-1.133726)
By Leo Shane III
Stars and Stripes
Published: February 3, 2011
WASHINGTON — A group of House Democrats want troops previously dismissed under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law to be able to apply for honorable discharge status, opening the door for them to receive veterans benefits.
In a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates last month, House Armed Services Committee ranking member Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., and two colleagues asked Pentagon officials to look into the possibility of allowing those troops to petition the boards of correction to upgrade their status to an honorable discharge, if they received a lesser distinction.
Under Department of Veterans Affairs rules, only troops who receive a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge are completely barred from receiving veterans benefits. But troops with other-than-honorable dismissals do see some restrictions on their eligibility.
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Troops with other-than-honorable dismissals can apply for health care related to service-connected injuries, but the department can deny treatment for health issues that develop later in life. They are not eligible for GI Bill benefits, and may be refused veterans home loans.
Of course, it's about da gub'mint goodies, not about legitimizing peter-puffers who defrauded the American taxpayer with falsified statements to a recruiter. :whatever:
h/t to This Ain't Hell (http://networkedblogs.com/dQm8K)