Is a Native American Veteran who was discharged with "Conditions other than Honorable" entitled to any death benefits?

2016-10-16T12:44:54-04:00

I have an individual who passed recently and is survived by his three daughters. His family does not have the finances to give him a proper burial, etc. He served Infantry in Vietnam for over a year, MOS 0311. After he came back, he struggled. Had been UA-AOL up to 147 days, confined for up to six months, then "discharged" as listed under his 214. I just want to know if there is anything at all..

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Oct 16 at 2016 12:51 PM

2016-10-16T12:51:25-04:00

Yes he can
http://www.beinhauer.com/veterans-funeral-benefits/

Veterans Funeral Benefits | Beinhauer Funeral

Here at Beinhauer Funeral we respect our veterans and offer them veteran funeral discounts as thanks for their services.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2016 1:03 PM

2016-10-16T13:03:15-04:00

Anyone here have information to help this family out with this situation?
https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/marines/answers/native-american-veteran-discharged-with-conditions-other-than-honorable-entitled-to-any-death-benefits

Native American Veteran discharged with "Conditions other than Honorable" entitled to any death...

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 16 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-10-16T13:22:25-04:00

Interesting situation... was he eligible for VA Bennies ??? IF So contact them for information...

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2016 2:59 PM

2016-10-16T14:59:17-04:00

According to VA Form 40-1330: Any deceased Veteran discharged under honorable conditions and any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty. A deceased Veteran discharged under conditions other than honorable may also be eligible.

Free burial for veterans is available at all VA national cemeteries to any deceased veteran of wartime or peacetime service (other than training) who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Members of the Reserve and the Army and Air National Guard who die while performing or as a result of performing active duty for training may also be eligible. FREE BURIAL is also available to an eligible veterans’s spouse, minor child(ren) and, under certain conditions, to unmarried adult children.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2016 3:35 PM

2016-10-16T15:35:38-04:00

I believe that he would only be entitled to a military bronze marker plate through the VA only, even under that service characterization.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Oct 16 at 2016 6:11 PM

2016-10-16T18:11:56-04:00

Family needs to request his records ASAP and find out what his discharge was and also to have them when taking this further.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Oct 17 at 2016 8:39 AM

2016-10-17T08:39:32-04:00

I don't know offhand, but I would talk to the VA. For the most part, unless it's a straight up Dishonorable or Bad Conduct Discharge you still qualify for most VA benefits. Even the grey area discharges qualify for something. This is what their website lists for eligibility. Hope this helps.

http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/eligible.asp

Eligibility - National Cemetery Administration

The VA National Cemetery Administration honors the military service of our Nation's Veterans. We provide a dignified burial and lasting memorial for Veterans and their eligible family members and we maintain our Veterans' cemeteries as national shrines.

Response by PFC Miles Hicks made Jan 17 at 2018 7:48 PM

2018-01-17T19:48:08-05:00

Not to go off topic but are there cases where a service member is discharged with an OTH, BCD, or dishonorable after their death in the modern times?

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jan 17 at 2018 7:53 PM

2018-01-17T19:53:50-05:00

The only way I know of would be an upgrade from the Navy Board of Corrections, perhaps the DAV, VFW or another organization