January 16, 2025, 2:00-3:30 PM ET: Understanding Discharge Upgrades

Former service members who received a less than honorable discharge carry a stigma that can affect many aspects of their lives. They might be barred from receiving VA benefits. They might have difficulty finding employment or being accepted into schools. They might be burdened with shame that affects their mental health. There are, however, avenues available to try to change the characterization of an individual’s discharge from service.

In this webinar, NVLSP experts will provide an overview of and advice for navigating the process of seeking a discharge upgrade through Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military Records and Naval Records. They will also provide helpful information about VA character of discharge determinations.

This webinar will also cover the following and more:

• Advice for choosing the proper forum when seeking a discharge upgrade
• Tips for preparing a successful discharge upgrade application
• Common arguments that can support a discharge upgrade, including for cases involving homosexuality; military sexual trauma; and mental health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder
• Options after a denial of a discharge upgrade
• Recent changes to the VA’s character of discharge regulation
• How the impact of a discharge upgrade differs from a favorable VA character of discharge determination