(a) General rule.--Whenever a particular character of discharge is a prerequisite to eligibility for receiving a benefit provided for in this title, an individual must have received a discharge from service under conditions other than dishonorable. Recipients of a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable include the following:
(1) A recipient of an honorable discharge.
(2) A recipient of a general, under honorable conditions, discharge.
(3) A recipient of a discharge under other than honorable conditions for which the recipient has been determined to be eligible for benefits afforded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(4) A recipient of a discharge for which benefits are payable under 38 CFR 3.12 (relating to character of discharge).
(b) Exclusions.--A discharge under conditions other than dishonorable does not include:
(1) A dishonorable, bad conduct or undesirable discharge.
(2) A discharge or release because of one of the offenses specified in 38 CFR 3.12(d).
(c) Uncharacterized separations.--A recipient of an uncharacterized discharge or separation shall be evaluated based upon 38 CFR 3.12(k).