{"total_terms":69,"matched":69,"categories":["discharge_documents","discharge_status","va_claims","va_organization","va_appeals","toxic_exposure","service_era","military_structure","process","benefits","housing","support","mental_health","rating","funding"],"results":[{"term":"DD-214","category":"discharge_documents","def":"A federal form titled \"Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty\" issued to every US servicemember leaving active service. Records dates of service, character of service, awards, and is the master document for almost every veterans benefit claim."},{"term":"DD-215","category":"discharge_documents","def":"A correction or addendum to a previously-issued DD-214. Used when errors or omissions are discovered."},{"term":"NGB-22","category":"discharge_documents","def":"National Guard equivalent of the DD-214. Issued upon separation from National Guard service."},{"term":"Honorable Discharge","category":"discharge_status","def":"The highest character of service. Eligible for all VA benefits."},{"term":"General Discharge (Under Honorable Conditions)","category":"discharge_status","def":"Some VA benefits available; may bar GI Bill eligibility."},{"term":"OTH","category":"discharge_status","def":"Other Than Honorable. Most VA benefits limited or barred. May qualify after a discharge upgrade or character-of-service determination."},{"term":"Bad Conduct Discharge","category":"discharge_status","def":"Issued by court-martial. Most VA benefits barred."},{"term":"Dishonorable Discharge","category":"discharge_status","def":"Issued by general court-martial only. All VA benefits barred."},{"term":"C&P Exam","category":"va_claims","def":"Compensation and Pension Examination — a medical exam VA orders to evaluate claimed conditions during a disability claim."},{"term":"VBA","category":"va_organization","def":"Veterans Benefits Administration — the VA branch that administers benefits (disability, pension, education, home loans). Distinct from VHA which runs healthcare."},{"term":"VHA","category":"va_organization","def":"Veterans Health Administration — runs all VA hospitals, clinics, and vet centers."},{"term":"VRA","category":"va_organization","def":"Veterans Recruitment Appointment — a hiring authority used to bring veterans into federal jobs."},{"term":"BVA","category":"va_appeals","def":"Board of Veterans' Appeals — the body that decides VA benefits appeals."},{"term":"CAVC","category":"va_appeals","def":"US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — federal court that reviews BVA decisions."},{"term":"NOD","category":"va_appeals","def":"Notice of Disagreement — the form filed to start a VA appeal."},{"term":"AMA","category":"va_appeals","def":"Appeals Modernization Act (2019). Created three appeal \"lanes\": Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, and Direct Review at the BVA."},{"term":"CDD","category":"va_claims","def":"Claim Decision Document — the formal letter VA sends explaining a disability rating decision."},{"term":"DBQ","category":"va_claims","def":"Disability Benefits Questionnaire — standardized forms physicians can complete to support a claim."},{"term":"PMR","category":"va_claims","def":"Private Medical Records — non-VA medical evidence submitted with a claim."},{"term":"STR","category":"va_claims","def":"Service Treatment Records — military medical records from your active service."},{"term":"Nexus Letter","category":"va_claims","def":"A medical opinion connecting a current condition to military service. Often the difference between a granted and denied claim."},{"term":"Presumptive Condition","category":"va_claims","def":"A condition VA presumes to be service-connected based on era and exposure (Agent Orange, Burn Pit, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War). No nexus required."},{"term":"PACT Act","category":"toxic_exposure","def":"Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (2022). Expanded presumptive conditions for burn-pit, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures."},{"term":"Burn Pit","category":"toxic_exposure","def":"Open-air waste-burning sites used at US military bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other deployments. PACT Act presumes service-connection for many resulting cancers and respiratory conditions."},{"term":"Agent Orange","category":"toxic_exposure","def":"A herbicide used in Vietnam (1962–1975). VA presumes service-connection for 17+ conditions including ischemic heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and several cancers."},{"term":"Camp Lejeune","category":"toxic_exposure","def":"Marine Corps base in NC where drinking-water contamination (1953–1987) caused cancers and other illnesses. Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 expanded eligibility."},{"term":"Gulf War Illness","category":"toxic_exposure","def":"A cluster of unexplained chronic symptoms (fatigue, joint pain, GI issues) affecting Gulf War-era veterans. Presumptive under VA rules."},{"term":"OEF","category":"service_era","def":"Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan, 2001–2014)."},{"term":"OIF","category":"service_era","def":"Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq, 2003–2010)."},{"term":"OND","category":"service_era","def":"Operation New Dawn (Iraq, 2010–2011)."},{"term":"GWOT","category":"service_era","def":"Global War on Terror — collective term for OEF/OIF/OND and related operations."},{"term":"Post-9/11","category":"service_era","def":"Service after September 11, 2001. Special benefits including Post-9/11 GI Bill."},{"term":"MOS","category":"military_structure","def":"Military Occupational Specialty (Army/Marines) — your specific job. Air Force uses AFSC; Navy uses Rate."},{"term":"AFSC","category":"military_structure","def":"Air Force Specialty Code — Air Force equivalent of MOS."},{"term":"NEC","category":"military_structure","def":"Navy Enlisted Classification — Navy equivalent of MOS."},{"term":"NCO","category":"military_structure","def":"Non-Commissioned Officer — enlisted leadership (E-4 through E-9)."},{"term":"Officer","category":"military_structure","def":"Commissioned Officer — leadership commissioned by the President. Pay grades O-1 through O-10."},{"term":"Enlisted","category":"military_structure","def":"Servicemember below officer rank. Pay grades E-1 through E-9."},{"term":"Warrant Officer","category":"military_structure","def":"Specialist officer between enlisted and commissioned officer ranks. Pay grades W-1 through W-5."},{"term":"MEPS","category":"process","def":"Military Entrance Processing Station — where recruits complete physicals, ASVAB, and enlistment."},{"term":"ETS","category":"process","def":"Expiration of Term of Service — your contract end date."},{"term":"TAP","category":"process","def":"Transition Assistance Program — mandatory training before separating from active service."},{"term":"GI Bill","category":"benefits","def":"Federal education benefits for veterans. Primary versions: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), VR&E (Chapter 31)."},{"term":"Chapter 31","category":"benefits","def":"Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) — vocational rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities."},{"term":"Chapter 33","category":"benefits","def":"Post-9/11 GI Bill. Up to 36 months of education benefits + housing allowance."},{"term":"TRICARE","category":"benefits","def":"Health insurance for active-duty servicemembers, retirees, and their families."},{"term":"CHAMPVA","category":"benefits","def":"Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA — health coverage for spouses/dependents of permanently disabled veterans."},{"term":"DEA","category":"benefits","def":"Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance — education benefits for spouses/children of veterans permanently disabled or deceased."},{"term":"DIC","category":"benefits","def":"Dependency and Indemnity Compensation — tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses/children/parents."},{"term":"Aid and Attendance","category":"benefits","def":"Additional pension benefit for veterans needing daily-living assistance."},{"term":"SAH Grant","category":"benefits","def":"Specially Adapted Housing grant — for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities to modify or build accessible housing."},{"term":"IU","category":"benefits","def":"Individual Unemployability — paid at 100% disability rate when service-connected disabilities prevent the veteran from working, even if combined rating is below 100%."},{"term":"HUD-VASH","category":"housing","def":"HUD–VA Supportive Housing — vouchers + clinical services for homeless veterans. Joint HUD/VA program."},{"term":"SSVF","category":"housing","def":"Supportive Services for Veteran Families — short-term financial assistance to prevent homelessness or rapidly re-house homeless veterans."},{"term":"GPD","category":"housing","def":"Grant and Per Diem — VA program funding transitional housing for veterans."},{"term":"VA Loan","category":"housing","def":"VA Home Loan Guaranty — federally-backed mortgage available to qualifying veterans, often with no down payment required."},{"term":"VSO","category":"support","def":"Veterans Service Organization — congressionally chartered nonprofit that helps veterans file claims (VFW, American Legion, DAV, AMVETS, etc.). Many are VA-accredited to file claims."},{"term":"CVSO","category":"support","def":"County Veterans Service Officer — state-employed claims officer. Free service, available in every Texas/California/Wisconsin county and most others."},{"term":"Vet Center","category":"support","def":"Readjustment Counseling Service center — VA-funded community-based counseling specifically for combat veterans, MST survivors, and bereavement."},{"term":"NVF","category":"support","def":"National Veterans Foundation — runs the LifeLine for Vets crisis line."},{"term":"PTSD","category":"mental_health","def":"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. VA presumes service-connection in many combat-related cases. Top compensable condition."},{"term":"TBI","category":"mental_health","def":"Traumatic Brain Injury. Often comorbid with PTSD. Common after blast/combat exposure."},{"term":"MST","category":"mental_health","def":"Military Sexual Trauma — sexual assault or harassment during military service. VA provides free MST-related care regardless of discharge status."},{"term":"988 Press 1","category":"mental_health","def":"The Veterans Crisis Line — call 988 and press 1 (or text 838255). 24/7 confidential."},{"term":"Combined Rating","category":"rating","def":"VA \"whole-person theory\" math for combining multiple disability ratings. Two 50% conditions don't equal 100%; they combine to 75%."},{"term":"TDIU","category":"rating","def":"Total Disability Individual Unemployability — same as IU. Paid at 100% rate when disabilities prevent gainful employment."},{"term":"P&T","category":"rating","def":"Permanent and Total disability rating — locks the rating in (no future re-exams) and unlocks additional benefits including CHAMPVA."},{"term":"SMC","category":"rating","def":"Special Monthly Compensation — extra payment for severe disabilities (loss of limb, blindness, requirement for aid and attendance, etc.)."},{"term":"COLA","category":"funding","def":"Cost of Living Adjustment — annual VA disability rate increase tied to Social Security COLA. Typically 2–9% per year."}],"note":"Veteran-terminology glossary covering DD-214, VA claims, PACT Act, service eras, ranks, benefits, housing programs, and crisis. Use /api/glossary?q=<term> for search, /api/glossary/{term} for exact lookup.","cached_seconds":86400}