Airmen are not eligible for disability for all of the following reasons, except which one?

• A. Airmen with in an Absent Without Leave status
• B. Airman with conditions existed prior to service
• C. Airmen facing court martial charges
• D. Airmen pending honorable discharge

Answer: (D)

The situation hinges on eligibility for disability benefits relative to a service member’s status. Some statuses clearly prevent eligibility because they remove you from the duties and conditions under which disability benefits are considered. Being absent without leave means you’re not in the proper duty status, so a disability claim tied to service isn’t applicable. Having a condition that existed before entering service is generally not service-connected unless it was aggravated by military duty, so it’s treated as a barrier to automatic eligibility for the condition after service. Facing court-martial charges interrupts normal duty and adjudication processes, which can block eligibility for disability benefits during that period.

The one exception is the process of separation with an honorable discharge. Being in the transition to separation with an honorable discharge does not disqualify you from applying for or receiving disability benefits as a veteran once you are separated; benefits can be claimed even as you’re pending final discharge, and the honorable status supports eligibility.