In short, no. While a clemency discharge is classified as neutral, it does not restore eligibility for VA benefits for veterans with “bad paper” discharges. This is because clemency only pardons you from legal penalties. It does not upgrade your characterization of military service on your DD 214.
However, depending on your circumstances, you may still be able to upgrade your discharge characterization of military service. Requests for discharge upgrades go through review boards for each branch of service. To appeal a less than honorable discharge, veterans must prove the original characterization was not proper or inequitable. The VA provides helpful instructions on requesting an upgrade to your discharge characterization on its website.
