Veterans & Military · Surprise rank #181
Other-Than-Honorable Discharge Tied to PTSD, TBI, MST or LGBTQ Status? NY Can Restore State Veterans Benefits
New York's Restoration of Honor Act can restore eligibility for New York State veterans benefits when a qualifying less-than-honorable discharge was connected to specified conditions or discriminatory policies.
Who
Qualifying veterans whose discharge was related to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, sexual orientation or gender identity.
What to do
Start here: Apply through the New York State Department of Veterans' Services with the discharge record, military personnel file and a statement/evidence explaining the qualifying circumstances.
Eligibility: The applicant must meet the Act's discharge and causal circumstances and submit the required military records and personal evidence.
What you get
A favorable state determination can restore access to New York veterans benefits despite an Other Than Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions discharge.
Benefit: Eligibility for New York State veterans benefits that otherwise may be unavailable because of the discharge characterization.
Possible value: Varies with the state veterans benefits the person later qualifies for.
Good to know
Important: A Restoration of Honor determination does not change the federal military discharge paperwork and does not automatically restore federal VA benefits.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Veterans may assume only a federal discharge-upgrade board can reopen access to any benefits, while New York has its own state-benefit restoration process.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026