Can You Upgrade Your Military Discharge? Yes, and Here's How
Brad Cummings • May 8, 2025
If you got out of the military with a discharge that’s been holding you back, you’re not alone. We talk to veterans all the time who received General or Other Than Honorable discharges. It’s been costing them jobs, VA benefits, and peace of mind for years. The truth is, you can do something about it.
At RMVAP, we’ve helped hundreds of veterans from all branches upgrade their discharges. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force—we’ve seen it all. Some had combat trauma that was never treated. Some got caught in outdated policies. Others made one mistake that’s followed them ever since. Whatever your story is, we can help you tell it.
What’s a Discharge Upgrade?
A discharge upgrade is a formal request to change the way your separation from the military is listed. If it’s successful, you could go from Other Than Honorable to General, or General to Honorable. That one change can open the door to VA healthcare, disability pay, housing programs, and more.
It’s not an easy process, and it takes time, but it’s possible. And we know what works.
You Might Qualify If:
- You were dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or another mental health issue
- You experienced military sexual trauma or harassment
- You were discharged because of your sexual orientation or gender identity
- You made a mistake under stress, and it doesn’t reflect your whole service
- You’ve changed since leaving the military and want your record to reflect that
What the Process Looks Like
When you come to RMVAP, here’s what we do:
- We help you get your full military records
- We work with you to write a personal statement that tells your story in your own words
- We gather support materials like buddy letters, medical records, and evaluations
- We file the application and stay involved the whole way
You don’t need to figure out which board to send it to. If it’s been under fifteen years, we send it to the Discharge Review Board. If it’s been longer, we go to the Board for Correction of Military Records. Either way, we’ll handle it.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about getting into the VA system, even though that’s a big part of it. It’s about fixing a record that never told the full story. A discharge upgrade can give you access to health care, financial support, job opportunities, and maybe most important of all, the recognition you’ve earned.
You served. Let’s make sure your record shows that.
We’re Ready When You Are
We’ve helped veterans across the country fix their discharges and get the benefits they were promised. We can help you too.
Apply now at
www.rmvap.org
Email:
clientservices@rmvap.org
Call: (720) 253 0963
You’ve carried that paperwork long enough. Let’s fix it.
It’s one of the hardest things we hear from veterans. They walk into a VA hospital, looking for help, and get told they’re not eligible. It doesn’t matter that they were in combat, or that they’ve got PTSD, or that they’re struggling. The discharge says they’re not entitled to benefits, and that’s the end of the conversation. Except it’s not. At RMVAP, we’ve helped hundreds of veterans change that conversation. If your discharge is keeping you from getting care or compensation, a discharge upgrade can open that door. Why the VA Denies Benefits The VA looks at your discharge status when you apply for benefits. If you didn’t get an Honorable discharge, they might deny you access to: Medical care through the VA Monthly disability compensation Home loan benefits or housing programs GI Bill or Vocational Rehab Burial and survivor benefits That one box on your DD-214 can block you from the very help you need. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. What a Discharge Upgrade Unlocks If you’re approved for a discharge upgrade, here’s what changes: You’ll be able to use VA hospitals and mental health services You’ll be eligible for monthly, tax-free compensation for service-connected conditions You can access VA home loan programs and housing grants You may be able to go back to school using the GI Bill You’ll finally be seen as the veteran you are A Real Example We worked with a former Marine who was discharged after a one-time drug incident. What the paperwork didn’t say was that he had untreated PTSD from combat tours. After we helped him put his story together, his discharge was upgraded. He’s now in therapy, receiving disability payments, and rebuilding his life. None of that would’ve happened if we hadn’t fixed the record first. What We’ll Do for You Review your military and VA records Help you write a statement that explains your full story Collect supporting evidence like buddy letters, medical files, or psychological evaluations File the application and stick with it until there’s a result Once your upgrade is approved, we can also help file your VA claim. That way, you’re not starting over with someone new. You Deserve Access You wore the uniform. You served your country. That should count for something. If your discharge is keeping you from getting the benefits you need, we’re here to help you fix it. We’ve done this for veterans in every branch. Combat vets. MST survivors. People who made mistakes. People who were forgotten. You’re not alone in this. Apply now at www.rmvap.org Email us at clientservices@rmvap.org Call: (720) 253 0963 It’s your record. Let’s set it right.
Getting a denial from the VA can feel like a punch to the gut. You served your country, and now you're being told you don't qualify for the benefits you need. But here's the thing: a denial isn't the end of the road. You have options, and we're here to help you navigate them. At RMVAP, we've assisted thousands of veterans from every branch in appealing their VA benefit decisions. Whether it's a disability rating that's too low or a complete denial of benefits, we've seen it all and know how to tackle it. Understanding Your Appeal Options The VA's appeals process, revamped under the Appeals Modernization Act, offers three main paths: Supplemental Claim : If you have new and relevant evidence that wasn't considered in your original claim, this is your route. It's about bringing fresh information to the table to support your case. Higher-Level Review : Think the VA made a mistake? This option lets a more experienced reviewer take another look at your claim. No new evidence is allowed, but you can point out errors in the original decision. Board Appeal : Want a Veterans Law Judge to review your case? This path offers three choices: a direct review, submitting new evidence, or requesting a hearing. It's a more formal process but can be effective for complex cases. Why Choose RMVAP? Navigating the VA appeals process can be daunting. That's where we come in. Here's what we offer: Expertise : Our team understands the intricacies of the VA system. We've successfully guided veterans through every appeal option. Personalized Support : We take the time to understand your unique situation and tailor our approach accordingly. Nationwide Reach : No matter where you are in the country, we're equipped to assist you. Take the Next Step Don't let a VA denial define your future. With the right support, you can challenge the decision and secure the benefits you've earned. Apply now at www.rmvap.org Email us at clientservices@rmvap.org Call us at (720) 253 0963 Your service mattered. Let's make sure your benefits reflect that.
Got New Evidence? Here's How to File a Supplemental Claim with the VA If the VA denied your disability claim, you might be wondering what went wrong and what you can do next. The truth is, a lot of denials come down to missing or incomplete evidence. That doesn’t mean your case is over. It just means you’ve got another shot—and this time, with stronger support. The Supplemental Claim is one of the most effective ways to challenge a VA decision. If you’ve got new and relevant evidence, you can ask the VA to take another look. And if you’re not sure what counts as “new and relevant,” that’s where we come in. At RMVAP, we’ve helped hundreds of veterans across all branches file strong Supplemental Claims that actually get results. What Is a Supplemental Claim? A Supplemental Claim is one of the three appeal options under the VA’s modernized review process. It’s used when you’ve got new evidence that wasn’t part of your original claim. You’re not starting over—you’re adding to the record and giving the VA a reason to reconsider. This could be after your initial application, a Higher-Level Review, or even a Board denial. As long as you’ve got something new to show, the VA has to give it a fresh look. What Counts as New and Relevant Evidence? Not everything qualifies. The VA is strict about what it considers new and relevant. That means you need evidence that wasn’t submitted before and that could help prove your case. Here are some examples: Medical records that show a diagnosis or worsening of your condition Private doctor opinions that link your condition to service Buddy statements describing what you went through Service treatment records that were missing or misread the first time VA medical opinions that were never considered New C&P exam results if you’ve had one since the denial If you're not sure whether your evidence fits, we’ll review it for you. How to Get the Right Evidence This is where things often go off track. Many veterans submit paperwork that doesn’t move the needle. We help make sure your evidence actually supports your claim. Here’s how: We look through your full VA file to spot what was missing We help you request any records from private providers or military archives We draft or request expert opinions from medical professionals We help gather lay statements from friends, family, or fellow service members We make sure everything is clearly labeled and linked to the correct claim You do not have to guess your way through this. We’ll handle it with you. Filing the Supplemental Claim Once your evidence is ready, we file VA Form 20-0995. This tells the VA that you’re requesting a new review and submitting new evidence. Timing matters. You’ve got one year from the date of the last VA decision to keep your effective date. Miss that window, and you could lose months or even years of back pay. Why RMVAP? We’ve seen veterans win on appeal after being denied for years—all because someone finally helped them gather the right evidence and say it the right way. This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about building a case that gets noticed. We know what works We understand how the VA evaluates evidence We’ve helped veterans in every state, from every branch We’ll be honest with you if something’s missing, and we’ll help you fix it Ready to Try Again? If your VA claim was denied, don’t give up. Let’s find out what the VA missed and give them a reason to take another look. Apply now at www.rmvap.org Email us at clientservices@rmvap.org Call us at (720) 253 0963 You served. You have a right to be heard. Let’s make sure your evidence speaks loud and clear.
