Reading Room Document
Qualification of deserters under "amnesty" program for VA benefits.
The document discusses the qualification of deserters under the "amnesty" program for VA benefits, specifically focusing on the definition of a "veteran" and the conditions under which they are entitled to benefits. It concludes that individuals accepting undesirable discharges in lieu of general court-martial for desertion would not be classified as veterans and therefore not entitled to any benefits. The document presents questions regarding the establishment of disqualification for benefits, including the feasibility of obtaining signed statements from those accepting the discharges and the potential ease of establishing the premise for application of discharge under the condition of desertion.
The OLC's Opinions
Opinions published by the OLC, including those released in response to our FOIA lawsuit