VA Form 20-0986. Eligibility Determination for Character of Discharge (COD) Request Form

VA Form 20-0986 - Eligibility Determination for Character of Discharge (COD) Request Form is used to request an eligibility determination for the character of discharge for a former service member. It is used to assess whether the former service member is eligible for certain VA health care benefits based on their discharge status.

Instructions: The form contains instructions for completion by both Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees (Parts I to 3) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) employees (Parts 4 and 5).

Key Fields:

Part I - Patient's Identification Information:

• VA File Number (If one has been assigned): A unique VA file number if available.
• Social Security Number: The patient's Social Security Number.
• Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY): The patient's date of birth.
• Telephone Number (Include Area Code): The patient's contact phone number.
• Current Mailing Address: The patient's current mailing address, including street or rural route, P.O. Box, city, state, ZIP code, and country.

Part II - Requesting Facility:

• VHA Facility Name and Address: The name and address of the Veterans Health Administration facility.
• VHA Facility Number: The facility's identification number.
• VHA POC Name: The name of the VHA Point of Contact.
• VHA POC Telephone Number: The phone number of the VHA Point of Contact.
• VHA Email Address: The email address of the VHA Point of Contact.

Part III - Purpose of Request from VHA:

• EOD: Eligibility of Determination.
• Character of Service: The character of service for the former service member.
• Check the Box if the Patient is Requesting Emergency Treatment for a Mental Health Condition: Indicates if the patient is requesting emergency treatment for a mental health condition.
• Remarks (Optional): Additional remarks or information.
• Name and Title of VHA Official: The name and title of the Veterans Health Administration official.
• Signature of VHA Official: The official's signature.
• Date Signed (MM/DD/YYYY): The date when the form was signed.

Part IV - VBA COD Determination Response:

• In response to the VHA request for a character of discharge determination, VBA found:
  • Veteran Has More Than One Period of Service and One of the Periods of Service is Honorable: Indicates the service member has multiple periods of service, and one of them is honorable.
  • Veteran Found to Be Honorable for VA Purposes (HVA): The character of service is honorable for VA purposes.
  • Character of Service is Determined to Be Dishonorable for VA Gratuitous Purposes (DVA): The character of service is dishonorable for VA gratuitous purposes, but the former service member is entitled to health care benefits under Chapter 17, Title 38 U.S.C. for any disabilities for this period of service.
  • Character of Service is Determined to Be Dishonorable for All VA Purposes (DVA): The character of service is determined to be dishonorable for all VA purposes due to a statutory bar, and the former service member is not entitled to health care benefits under Chapter 17, Title 38 U.S.C. for any disabilities for this period.

Use Case: This form is used to assess whether a former service member is eligible for certain VA health care benefits based on their character of discharge. The Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration use this form to make the determination.

Privacy Note: The form includes personal information, including Social Security numbers and contact details, so it should be handled with care and only used for its intended purpose.