Military Times. The Veterans affected may have been discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy, with the announcement timed to be released on the 10-year anniversary of the controversial rule's demise.
The new policy also applies to those who were forced out of the military before or after the rule, some due to intimidation related to their sexual orientation or gender identity.VA Secretary Denis McDonough will reportedly tell VA officials that they can issue full benefits to veterans who left the military due to their LGBTQ status, regardless of their discharge status.
Although 100,000 LGBTQ veterans may have been forced out service over the last 70 years, it is not clear how many were given anything other than honorable.