Discharge Upgrade Opportunities are Available

Every year service tens of thousands of men and women transition out of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Most leave with an honorable discharge, however some do not, for a variety of reason. Whether you’re a veteran who falls in one of the specific circumstances mentioned in the article or a veteran who believes your discharge type is inaccurate given your record of service, please know our Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) are available to help.  It is important that veterans understand there are opportunities to request an upgrade, however each case is reviewed and decided on a case-by-case basis with special weight being placed for veterans discharged for a few specific circumstances.  

These circumstances that Veterans exploring discharge upgrades should be aware of are: 

• Involuntary Separation under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”  
• For Sexual Orientation 
• For Gender Identity 
• Personnel who suffered from PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury 
• Sexual Assault or Harassment (Military Sexual Trauma) 

Whether you’re a veteran who falls in these specific circumstances or a veteran who believes your discharge type is inaccurate given your record of service, please know our Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) are available to help.  

Our VSOs can help veterans identify the board their application packet will have to be submitted to and prepare the application with supporting materials. However due to the nature of the Discharge Review Boards, it will be up to the veteran to submit and track the application as it is processed, reviewed, and if hearing is held to prepare and attend.  

If you’re interested in speaking to one of our VSOs about a discharge upgrade, please visit: https://veterans.nv.gov/benefits-and-services/veterans-service-officers/ .