How do I file a VA disability claim?

File VA Form 21-526EZ — Application for Disability Compensation.

How long does a VA disability claim take?

4-6 months on average for an initial decision; longer for complex or appealed claims.

A DD-214 is the federal Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty issued to every U.S. servicemember leaving active service.

Veteran Q&A

How do I get my discharge upgraded?

File DD Form 293 (DRB) for upgrades within 15 years of discharge, or DD Form 149 (BCMR) for upgrades any time after.

A discharge upgrade can change an Other Than Honorable (OTH), General, or Bad Conduct discharge to Honorable, unlocking VA benefits. The path depends on the timing and the reason for the original discharge characterization. Two boards review upgrades: the Discharge Review Board (DRB) within 15 years, and the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) any time after.

Detail

DD Form 293 (Discharge Review Board / DRB): use within 15 years of discharge for non-General Court-Martial discharges. Filed with your branch's DRB.
DD Form 149 (Board for Correction of Military Records / BCMR): use any time, OR for General Court-Martial discharges (which DRB can't review).
Liberal Consideration policy (2014, expanded 2017+): if your discharge was related to PTSD, TBI, MST, or sexual orientation under DADT, the boards apply a more permissive standard — meaning more upgrades are granted.
Free help available: VA-accredited representatives, VSOs, and clinics like Veteran Legal Clinics at law schools file discharge upgrades pro bono.
Upgrade success: liberal-consideration claims have ~50%+ approval rates; standard claims much lower (~20%).
After an upgrade: file VA Form 21-526EZ to claim disability benefits retroactive to your discharge date.

In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Text 838255. Chat at veteranscrisisline.net.

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These plain-English answers are maintained by Wounded Warriors / Warriors Fund (Texas 501(c)(3), EIN 86-1336741). We cite VA's official sources where applicable. Always verify the most current rules at va.gov. Free, machine-queryable under CC-BY 4.0.

How do I get my discharge upgraded?

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