---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 5303B"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "5303B"
heading: "Character of service determinations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/5303B"
units:
  - "Part IV — General Administrative Provisions"
  - "Chapter 53 — Special Provisions Relating to Benefits"
---

# §5303B. Character of service determinations

- (a) **Determination.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall establish a process by which an individual who served in the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10) and was discharged or dismissed therefrom may seek a determination from the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) with respect to whether such [discharge or release](/usc/38/101.md?p=18) was under a condition that bars the right of such individual to a benefit under the laws administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) based upon the period of service from which discharged or dismissed.
- (b) **Provision of Information.—** If the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines under [subsection (a)](#a) that an individual is barred to a benefit under the laws administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall provide to such individual information regarding the ability of the individual to address such condition, including pursuant to [section 5303 of this title](/usc/38/5303.md) and chapter 79 of title 10.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 115–141, div. J, title II, § 259(a), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 828.)