VA to restore education benefits eligibility to veterans ousted under Biden-era COVID vaccine mandate
EXCLUSIVE – A major policy shift could restore education benefits to thousands of veterans who were separated from military service for refusing the COVID vaccine during the Biden administration, according...
By Fox News · Fox News
EXCLUSIVE – A major policy shift could restore education benefits to thousands of veterans who were separated from military service for refusing the COVID vaccine during the Biden administration, according to The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The move follows President Trump’s January executive order — Executive Order 14184 – Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID Vaccination Mandate. This directed federal agencies to identify service members affected by the former vaccine requirement and to take steps to reinstate or restore certain benefits. In response, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth went on to instruct military departments to facilitate discharge upgrades for those who were involuntarily separated because they declined the COVID vaccine and received a characterization of service that affected their benefits. HEGSETH INSTATES 'HIGHEST MALE STANDARD ONLY' FOR COMBAT, OTHER CHANGES, DECLARING DEPT. OF DEFENSE 'IS OVER' According to the VA, more than 8,000 service members were separated after Biden's Department of Defense implemented the vaccination mandate. Over half reportedly received discharges classified as less than fully honorable, a status that can limit eligibility for education benefits under the GI Bill. After conducting initial reviews, the Department of War found that 899 veterans from this group now meet eligibility requirements for GI Bill benefits as a result of their upgraded discharge status . Officials said the number could grow as more cases are reviewed under the guidelines set by Trump's executive order. NEARLY 37,000 VA EMPLOYEES FURLOUGHED OR WORKING WITHOUT PAY AMID GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN In September, the VA began notifying veterans whose discharges had already been upgraded, telling them that they may now qualify for education assistance. The agency is now urging any veteran discharged for refusing the vaccine to apply for a discharge review and, if upgraded, to submit an application for GI Bill benefits. "Th…