How To Apply For A Discharge Upgrade | Veterans Affairs (2024)

FAQs

How to win a military discharge upgrade? ›

Mention any errors made in your discharge process. Explain why your discharge would have been different if these errors had not been made. If a relevant military policy has changed since your discharge, mention it, and show why it would require a change to your discharge.

More than 4 out of 5 veterans who've applied for discharge upgrades or records corrections have been successful. Even as the Defense Department begins its system review, it may not catch everyone eligible for a discharge upgrade or record correction.

You can apply for a discharge upgrade by mail or with the help of a Veterans Service Organization (VSO).

How Long Will it Take to Get a Decision? It often takes a month and a half to two months to find out the board's decision. If you get the upgrade, you'll get a new discharge certificate, DD-214, and a copy of the board's decision. If you don't get the upgrade, you'll get the board's letter explaining their decision.

You may apply to the ABCMR for an award or upgrade of a decoration ONLY AFTER the Army Awards and Decorations Board has made a decision on your DA Form 638. You must provide a copy of the Army Awards and Decorations Board's decision with your application to the ABCMR.

Although a positive post-service history is not necessary to succeed, it's important if you're trying to upgrade a punitive discharge—a Bad Conduct, Dishonorable, or other discharge imposed after a court-martial. The only basis for upgrading a punitive discharge is clemency.

Within 15 years of discharge a former service member (Applicant) may request a change in the Character of Service (Block 24 on DD Form 214) or the Narrative Reason for Separation (Block 28 on DD Form 214) (or both) using DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States).

You have a diagnosis of, or exhibit symptoms of, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST) or other mental health condition or other mitigating factor; and/or. We find at least one meritorious argument to present to the Discharge Review Board.

Am I still a veteran with an Oth? ›

Veterans who were given an OTH discharge may still be able to access some VA benefits through the Character of Discharge review process. This review can sometimes result in a determination that their service is "honorable for VA purposes."

Generally, in order to receive VA benefits and services, the Veteran's character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).

To be eligible for a Hardship Discharge, the service member must be experiencing severe, ongoing personal or financial problems that adversely affect their performance of duty and cannot reasonably be resolved while they continue serving on active duty.

Bad Conduct (BCD)

Unlike an administrative discharge, a Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) is a punitive discharge that can only be given by a court-martial (either Special or General) as punishment to an enlisted service-member. Bad conduct discharges are often preceded by a period of confinement in a military prison.

DD Form 149 (to request a discharge upgrade through the Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records; submit with supporting materials outlined in Manual and Supplement)

To qualify for an honorable discharge, service members must have not only completed their enlistment or contract time commitment and other obligations, but they must have done so in a satisfactory manner. This means maintaining high standards of conduct, duty performance and discipline during their service.

Honorable discharge

For instance, service members rendered physically or psychologically incapable of performing assigned duties normally have their service characterized as honorable, regardless of whether they incurred the condition or disability in the line of duty, provided they otherwise met or exceeded standards.

The process of appealing an involuntary administrative discharge can be complex and the outcome could significantly affect your future. If you find yourself in need of legal assistance, a skilled court martial appeals lawyer can guide you through the process and help safeguard your rights.