The VA is restoring GI Bill eligibility for many service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine after President Trump's Executive Order 14184 prompted federal reviews. More than 8,000 personnel were separated under the prior Defense Department mandate; over half received discharges that could block education benefits. Initial reviews have upgraded 899 discharges, making those veterans eligible for GI Bill benefits, and the VA expects that number to rise as more cases are reviewed. Affected veterans are urged to request discharge reviews and apply for benefits if their characterization is upgraded.
VA to Restore GI Bill Benefits for Thousands Discharged Over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
The VA is restoring GI Bill eligibility for many service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine after President Trump's Executive Order 14184 prompted federal reviews. More than 8,000 personnel were separated under the prior Defense Department mandate; over half received discharges that could block education benefits. Initial reviews have upgraded 899 discharges, making those veterans eligible for GI Bill benefits, and the VA expects that number to rise as more cases are reviewed. Affected veterans are urged to request discharge reviews and apply for benefits if their characterization is upgraded.
04:09 PM, 11/17/2025Politics
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is moving to restore education benefits for thousands of service members who were separated from the military after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine under the prior Defense Department mandate.
Executive order prompts reviews and benefit restorations
The action follows President Donald Trump’s January directive, Executive Order 14184, "Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID Vaccination Mandate," which asked federal agencies to identify affected service members and take steps to reinstate or restore certain benefits.
Discharge upgrades, eligibility updates
According to the VA, more than 8,000 service members were separated after the Department of Defense imposed the vaccination requirement. More than half of those separations were reportedly recorded as less than fully honorable, a characterization that can limit or block GI Bill education benefits.
After initial reviews under the executive order’s guidance, officials say 899 veterans from this group have had their discharge characterizations upgraded and now meet GI Bill eligibility requirements. The VA cautioned that this number could rise as additional cases are reviewed.
"The Biden administration’s COVID mandates upended the lives and livelihoods of thousands of service members and veterans," a VA statement provided to Fox News Digital said. "We are proud to help implement President Trump’s executive order and make these veterans whole again."
Pete Hegseth, who has publicly supported the reinstatement effort, described the move as an important step toward rebuilding trust with affected service members.
What veterans should do next
The VA has begun notifying veterans whose discharges were already upgraded and is urging any veteran who believes they were discharged for refusing the vaccine to request a discharge review from their military service branch. If a veteran’s characterization of service is upgraded, they should submit an application for GI Bill benefits through the VA.
Veterans seeking more information about discharge upgrades or GI Bill eligibility can contact the VA or their military department’s review board to begin the review process and, if appropriate, apply for education benefits.
Note: This article summarizes statements and initial review findings reported by the VA and other officials. Veterans should consult VA resources or their service review boards for case-specific guidance.