What do you think is the most common mistake in applications for discharge upgrade?

LtCol John Currie — Thu, 14 May 2015 04:16:02 -0400

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/2KivPzKi#/main

Identifying Issues In the Discharge Review Process: A Stumbling Block for Many John Currie John...

When filling out the DD-293 in order to apply for a discharge upgrade, the applicant is asked to identify their issues to the board. “Issues” are the reasons why an applicant believes they should receive a change to their characterization of service or narrative reason for separation. This seemingly simple part of the application is one of the main reasons most applications are not successful. There are decisional issues and non-decisional...

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 14 at 2015 4:26 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Thu, 14 May 2015 04:26:38 -0400

Interesting discussion topic LtCol John Currie ... especially since discharge upgrades are of interest to some RP members.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 14 at 2015 6:49 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 14 May 2015 06:49:19 -0400

Failure to understand what they can upgrade a discharge for.

The article highlights the 2 issues they are allowed to change characterizations for. Most people just don't understand that. If they discharged you for drug use with an OTH, chances are you can't get an upgrade because no rules were broken, unless you can show clear documentation in the process where rules actually were broken.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 14 at 2015 8:40 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 14 May 2015 08:40:40 -0400

Choice 1. I don't know how many times I've heard ex service members (I use the word "ex" on purpose) make a statement like "I believe that I should not have received a BCD/OTH (or the dreaded DD) just because I was high on illegal drugs on duty/committed vehicular manslaughter/got caught with child pornography/had sex with a minor."

If people are serious about upgrading their discharge, they will follow the proper channels and get help from veteran service reps. VSP's will often help a person (if they believe they have a valid case) regardless of their type of discharge.

For instance, and maybe my Army counterparts can back up my claim, I've heard of many Vietnam and Vietnam-era vets who received "Failure to Adapt" discharges and are just now being diagnosed with PTSD (since PTSD wasn't taken seriously back then) and are trying to get their discharges upgraded not only so they'll receive disability compensation but finally get the medical and psychiatry help they desperately need.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 8:54 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 08:54:31 -0400

I think it is the clear issues. In my own experience, the review board is a quick hit review of your records. I went through it 3 times trying to get an upgrade from a "4". On the 4th attempt it was upgraded to a "2". The difference being that on the 4th attempt I included the full 150+ page VA packet of medical documents.

It was either that, or they just got tired of seeing my packets ;)

Response by Katie Gladki made Jan 31 at 2018 6:27 PM

Katie Gladki — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 18:27:53 -0500

I realize this is an old thread, but I found this resource that may be helpful if any of you are looking to go through the process... https://law.yale.edu/system/files/area/clinic/vlsc_discharge_upgrade_application_guide_3.22.17.pdf

vlsc_discharge_upgrade_application_guide_3.22.17.pdf

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