Most frequently asked question and answer from Veterans Administration
Community CommonJan 28, 2018
Question: How do I request a upgrade in discharge from Military Service?
Answer:
Review of Discharge from Military Service
Each of the military services maintains a discharge review board with authority to change, correct or modify discharges or dismissals not issued by a sentence of a general court-martial. The board has no authority to address medical discharges.
The Veteran or, if the Veteran is deceased or incompetent, the surviving spouse, next of kin or legal representative, may apply for a review of discharge by writing to the military department concerned, using DD Form 293, “Application for the Review of Discharge from the
However, if the discharge was more than 15 years ago, a Veteran must petition the appropriate Service’s
Discharges awarded as a result of a continuous period of unauthorized absence in excess of 180 days make persons ineligible for
Veterans with disabilities incurred or aggravated during active duty may qualify for medical or related benefits regardless of separation and characterization of service. Veterans separated administratively under other than honorable conditions may request that their discharge be reviewed for possible re-characterization, provided they file their appeal within 15 years of the date of separation. Questions regarding the review of a discharge should be addressed to the appropriate discharge review board at the address listed on DD Form 293. Source (www.va.gov)