How to upgrade your military discharge

Your discharge characterization — Honorable, General (under honorable conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct, or Dishonorable — affects your VA benefits and civilian employment. If yours was unfair or you’ve got new context, you can apply to change it. It’s free to apply, and you don’t need a lawyer.

The two boards

• Discharge Review Board (DRB) — your branch’s board for discharges within the last 15 years (it can’t change a general court-martial discharge). Apply with DD Form 293.
• Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCMR/BCNR) — for discharges over 15 years old, court-martial discharges, or other record corrections. Apply with DD Form 149 (a 3-year window that boards often waive).

Strong grounds for an upgrade

• The discharge was unjust or inequitable given the full circumstances.
• PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma (MST), or other mental-health conditions contributed — boards are directed to give “liberal consideration” to these (the Hagel, Kurta, and Wilkie memos).
• Discharge based on sexual orientation (for example, under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”).

How to apply

1. Gather your DD-214, service and medical records, and supporting statements.
2. Complete DD Form 293 (DRB) or DD Form 149 (BCMR) and submit it to your branch’s board; you can request a personal appearance.
3. Get free help from an accredited VSO or a veterans legal clinic — complex cases can benefit from a lawyer, but you never have to pay to apply.

Related: find a free VSO, VA health care, and mental health resources.

General information, not legal advice. Boards decide each case on its facts; confirm current forms and timelines at the review board and VA.gov. Source: U.S. Department of Defense review boards / VA.