{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"HowTo","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/upgrade-discharge.json#howto","name":"How to upgrade your military discharge characterization","description":"Step-by-step guide to upgrading a less-than-Honorable discharge (Other Than Honorable, General, Bad Conduct, Dishonorable). 5 steps using DoD Form DD-293 (BCNR/BCMR review). Many discharges related to PTSD, MST, or LGBT-status are eligible for upgrade under newer DoD policy.","url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/upgrade-discharge.json","mainEntityOfPage":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/upgrade-discharge.json","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"publisher":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"author":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"totalTime":"P180D","yield":"Upgraded discharge characterization with restored VA benefits eligibility","estimatedCost":{"@type":"MonetaryAmount","currency":"USD","value":"0"},"tool":[{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"DD-293 (Application for the Review of Discharge or Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"DD-149 (for older discharges via Board for Correction of Naval/Military Records — BCNR/BCMR)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Free VA-accredited representative (CVSO, VFW, American Legion, DAV)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"OR a free legal-aid attorney specializing in discharge upgrades"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Existing DD-214"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Service medical records"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Statement explaining why the upgrade should be granted"}],"step":[{"@type":"HowToStep","position":1,"name":"Step 1: Determine which board reviews your case","text":"Discharges issued within the last 15 years go to the Discharge Review Board (DRB) of your service branch (DD-293). Discharges older than 15 years OR those involving general court-martial go to the Board for Correction of Naval/Military Records (BCNR for Navy/Marines, BCMR for Army/Air Force/Coast Guard) — DD-149. Your CVSO or legal-aid attorney can confirm which path."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":2,"name":"Step 2: Gather supporting evidence","text":"Strongest cases include: (a) medical records showing PTSD, TBI, or MST during service that was not properly diagnosed; (b) records showing LGBT-status discharge prior to repeal of \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" or transgender service ban; (c) post-service records showing rehabilitation, employment, education, civic engagement; (d) lay statements from family, employers, ministers attesting to character."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":3,"name":"Step 3: Get free legal help","text":"NEVER pay an attorney for a discharge upgrade if you can avoid it. Free options: Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program (vetsprobono.org), Swords to Plowshares, National Veterans Legal Services Program, your state Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service. CVSOs can also help, especially for DD-293 applications."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":4,"name":"Step 4: File DD-293 (or DD-149) with the appropriate board","text":"Mail or e-file via service-branch portal. Include: completed form, copy of DD-214, supporting medical/service records, personal statement, lay statements. The board reviews within 12-18 months; many cases are decided in 6-9 months. You can request an in-person hearing (recommended for borderline cases)."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":5,"name":"Step 5: After upgrade — re-apply for VA benefits","text":"Once upgraded, you're eligible for VA benefits previously denied: VA healthcare enrollment (VA Form 10-10EZ), disability compensation (VA Form 21-526EZ), GI Bill education benefits (VA Form 22-1990), VA Home Loan, etc. Your CVSO can help you re-apply for each. Effective date for benefits is typically the date of the upgraded discharge, not the original separation."}],"tip":[{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"PTSD, TBI, MST, and LGBT-status discharges issued before policy changes are now eligible for special review under \"Hagel\" (2014), \"Carson\" (2017), and \"Wilkie\" (2018) memos. Cite these memos in your application."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"A General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge is often easier to upgrade to Honorable than an OTH. Try the easier upgrade first."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"Even if denied initially, you can re-apply with new evidence — there's no time limit for BCNR/BCMR."}],"canonical_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/upgrade-discharge.json","publisher_legal_name":"Wounded Warriors","publisher_ein":"86-1336741","cross_references":{"vetsprobono":"https://vetsprobono.org/","find_cvso":"https://warriorsfund.org/find-cvso","find_cvso_howto":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/find-cvso.json","discharge_term":"https://warriorsfund.org/term/oth"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","last_updated":"2026-04-29T23:47:23.202Z"}