Other Than Honorable Discharge
Sometimes, this is called a "bad paper." or "OTH."
This type of discharge means the military determined that the service member should be removed from the military without any honors or Veterans benefits access.
According to Military.com, here is "Everything you need to know" about an OTH discharge. Those who have received an "Other than Honorable" discharge from the military may still be able to access some VA benefits through the Character of Discharge review process. This review can sometimes result in a determination that their service is "honorable for VA purposes." ​​​One thing to keep in mind is a Veteran can apply for a discharge upgrade meaning, instead of an OTH, they may be able to get a higher discharge status potentially resulting in greater benefits and more. ​​​
The Veterans Advocacy Project 's Discharge Upgrade Clinic fights to restore honor to Veterans who were unjustly discharged. Their team files applications for upgrades and corrections while also training and supervising a network of attorneys representing Veterans free of charge in their applications before the Department of Defense. ​​
​​The Veterans Consortium (TVC) offers offers free nationwide legal assistance for discharge upgrades for Veterans who have been discharged with an "Other Than Honorable" discharge due to a mental health condition, such as PTSD or traumatic brain injury; for military sexual trauma victims with less than honorable discharges; and for Veterans discharged for homosexuality. ​​​​
​Swords to Plowshares offers legal connections for "Other than Honorable" discharges and the Character Discharge review process. Most of these are all free of charge/pro bono. ​
Applying for Benefits and Your Character of Discharge: Generally, to receive VA benefits and services, the Veteran's character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general). However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other than honorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA. A new rule/regulation (Department of Veterans Affairs - 38 CFR Part 3 RIN 2900-AQ95) helps expand access to care and benefits that may be important to you and your Veteran. You can also find more information about the VA's expansion to accessing care and benefits for some former service members who did not receive an honorable or general discharge here.
Some Additional Information And Resources