Are you a veteran who needs to change, correct, or modify your discharge? If you qualify and take the proper steps you can apply for a review of discharge and possibly have it changed.
As society has changed throughout the years, many actions that were once a guarantee of a less-than-honorable discharge now are often not applicable reasons for involuntary termination from military service. Therefore, veterans who appeal a less-than-honorable discharge often are successful in having it upgraded. The formation of a new board of appeals for discharges was designed to ensure all previous decisions on appeals were made according to the law and DoD policy.
Each branch has a discharge review board with authority to change, correct or modify discharges. The board has no authority to address medical discharges or those issued by a general courts-martial. The veteran or their surviving next of kin or legal representative may apply for a review of discharge by writing to the military department concerned using the DOD Form 149.
You can also visit the VA's How to Apply for a Discharge Upgrade web page for helpful instructions on how to file an appeal.
If your appeal to your service's board of review and correction you can appeal that decision to a new board of appeals, the Discharge Appeal Review Board (DARB). The DARB will review a previous denial of a discharge review and make a final decision on your case.
Be aware and get what you are entitled to. Keep up with all the legal benefits available to you as a service member, veteran or spouse and get updates delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing to Military.com.
Related Topics: Records and Forms Military Legal Veteran BenefitsJim Absher is Military.com's former benefits editor and columnist. He joined the Navy to see the world and later realized the world is two-thirds water. He also worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in field offices and Washington, D.C. before coming to Military.com in 2015. Read Full Bio
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