Filing for Disability

🎖️ How to Upgrade a Military Discharge

A less-than-honorable discharge does not have to be permanent.

Last updated Fri Sep 04 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

1. Understand Discharge Types

Honorable and General (Under Honorable Conditions) — qualify for most VA benefits.

Other Than Honorable (OTH) — may qualify for some VA mental health care even without an upgrade.

Bad Conduct and Dishonorable — generally do not qualify for VA benefits.

However, the VA can grant a Character of Discharge determination that unlocks VA benefits without requiring a formal upgrade of your DD-214.

💡 If your discharge was related to mental health, MST, TBI, or PTSD — you have strong legal grounds for an upgrade. These are specifically recognized by DoD policy.

2. Two Upgrade Paths

Discharge Review Board (DRB) — available for all branches, must file within 15 years of discharge, can be done entirely by mail. Use DD Form 293.

Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCMR/BCNR) — no time limit, more powerful, can correct errors in your military record beyond just the discharge. Use DD Form 149.

💡 Start with the DRB if you're within 15 years of discharge. It's faster and simpler. If denied, you can still go to BCMR/BCNR.

3. Build Your Case

Gather everything that supports your case before filing:

DD-214 (Certificate of Release from Active Duty)
Service records and personnel file
Medical records showing PTSD, MST, or TBI
Buddy statements from fellow service members
Documentation of in-service trauma or the circumstances of discharge
Any civilian mental health records

💡 A personal statement explaining the connection between your condition and the circumstances of your discharge is often the most powerful piece of evidence.

4. File Your Application

Download DD Form 293 (DRB) or DD Form 149 (BCMR/BCNR) from the DoD forms website at eforms.defense.gov.

Submit by mail to the appropriate board. There is no filing fee. Typical response time is 6–18 months.

⚠️ Do not file without evidence first. An unsupported application is almost always denied, and a denial can make future applications harder.

5. Free Legal Help

These organizations provide free discharge upgrade legal assistance:

Swords to Plowshares — swords-to-plowshares.org
Veterans Legal Clinic — Harvard Law School
National Veterans Legal Services Program — nvlsp.org
State legal aid organizations — search "[your state] veterans legal aid"

If your discharge was related to LGBTQ+ identity — including actions that occurred during Don't Ask Don't Tell — contact the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network for specialized legal support.

NVLSP — Free Legal Help844-858-5777

Sources

https://www.nvlsp.org — National Veterans Legal Services Program — free discharge upgrade legal help

Waypoint helps veterans navigate the VA system — free document vault, benefit calculators, AI-powered guidance, and a provider directory, all in one place.

Create a free Waypoint account →