Posted on Jul 1, 2021
Is it possible to get a medical discharge on my DD-214 after being out of the military for over a decade?
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I was discharged in 2008 from Fort Bragg with a 5-13 when I actually have MST. I applied in 2019 for my DD-214 to be changed and they granted full relief by giving me a secretarial authority discharge. I reached out to the DAV who told me to reach out to a pro bono attorney to have it correct from a 5-3 to medical. No surprise I haven't heard back from any attorneys and the paid ones want $4500 or more. Has anyone successfully appealed and received a medical discharge? I received an honorable discharge in 2008. The new "relief" doesn't help me with anything. My education benefits are still not paid out in full. I am still in the exact same position I was in before I had my DD-214 "corrected". I applied for it to be changed because it seemed like they were finally addressing the issue of discharging people with PTSD/MST where they intentionally gave them 5-13 discharges to deny benefits.
Posted in these groups: 
DD214
Honorable Discharge
Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Career Counselor
Career Advice
DD214 Honorable Discharge Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Career Counselor Career Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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In order to receive a medical discharge you would have to apply to the Army Board of Corrections and they would have to recommend a Medical Evaluation Board to open your case and decide. If you can't show any medical disability during your time in service it would be very difficult for the board to recommend sending you to a med board. It does happen, but it's fairly uncommon and usually not without very strong evidence. Even then, it may be a year before the board even responds.
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SPC Rachael Lavertu DD214s are corrected with issuance of a DD215. Did you get this relief from the Army Board of Corrections? They should have included a 215 with the other documents.
1. NPRC changing military records: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/correct-service-records.html
Don't know if you already submitted one or both of these...DD149 or a DD293.
2. Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR): https://arba.army.pentagon.mil/abcmr-overview.html
3. HRC Obtaining a DD215 via SF form 180 and supporting documents: https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Correction%20to%20Veterans%20Military%20Records
If you already have a Discharge Review Board Determination, I would assume that is all the documentation you need for this process.'
I am assuming you must have done one or both of these routes to obtain this "full relief" in your original post. I am really confused why you don't have the right documentation as you obtained Secretary level action to get where you are now.
1. NPRC changing military records: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/correct-service-records.html
Don't know if you already submitted one or both of these...DD149 or a DD293.
2. Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR): https://arba.army.pentagon.mil/abcmr-overview.html
3. HRC Obtaining a DD215 via SF form 180 and supporting documents: https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Correction%20to%20Veterans%20Military%20Records
If you already have a Discharge Review Board Determination, I would assume that is all the documentation you need for this process.'
I am assuming you must have done one or both of these routes to obtain this "full relief" in your original post. I am really confused why you don't have the right documentation as you obtained Secretary level action to get where you are now.
Correcting Military Service Records
The National Archives and Records Administration cannot make changes or corrections to military records or to your discharge status other than to make minor administrative corrections to fix some typographical errors. You will need to apply to the review board for your respective service branch for corrections or changes. Instructions on what to submit for each are listed below. (DO NOT submit these forms to the National Archives.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SPC Rachael Lavertu - I updated my original post with links and more information. I'm still scratching my head on what full relief is, but if the ABCMR or ADRB changed your discharge or the nature of your discharge with their decision, then you should look at #3 in my post where HRC has the method to update the 214 with a 215 based on the outcome you have with the documentation they sent you. The first part you talked about is the hard part. This part shouldn't be as hard.
What is your current RE Code (RE1-RE4) and separation code (three letters) on your current 214 (don't post them, just look them up yourself at the link below)? Here is a list of the codes, and they are not limited to medical discharges. That is likely why there is not a specific PTSD code as it were. It will likely show under a mental health code.
https://militarybenefits.info/military-separation-codes/
This topic comes up with people trying to reenlist with a unfavorable RE Code and SPD on their 214 (it is not on all the different copies of the 214, so look at each copy type). We put together a reference page for it here on RP. https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/re-code/about
What is your current RE Code (RE1-RE4) and separation code (three letters) on your current 214 (don't post them, just look them up yourself at the link below)? Here is a list of the codes, and they are not limited to medical discharges. That is likely why there is not a specific PTSD code as it were. It will likely show under a mental health code.
https://militarybenefits.info/military-separation-codes/
This topic comes up with people trying to reenlist with a unfavorable RE Code and SPD on their 214 (it is not on all the different copies of the 214, so look at each copy type). We put together a reference page for it here on RP. https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/re-code/about
Military Separation Codes | Military Benefits
Military Separation Codes are located on form DD214 and are used to categorize hundreds of reasons for a veterans separation from the military.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SPC Rachael Lavertu - if you do need legal help, here is a link to pro bono Vet legal services. https://www.va.gov/ogc/legalservices.asp
It is posted by VA but it is not their services. Its just links to other legal networks for Vets.
It is posted by VA but it is not their services. Its just links to other legal networks for Vets.
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SPC Rachael Lavertu
I don’t think it’s a mental health code. Everything I can find says it’s as generic as generic can be. It’s a you didn’t want to be in the military any more and no other code fits, so here you go. LTC Jason Mackay
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LTC Jason Mackay
SPC Rachael Lavertu - I've posted the resources I know to post. Good luck and hope you win on this.
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A medical discharge isn't something that gets added to a DD214 after the fact. You would need to go through the MEB process for that determination to be made. The Board of Corrections would make that decision.
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