Are you a veteran who needs to change, correct, or modify your discharge or dismissal? If you qualify and take the proper steps you can apply for a review of discharge and possibly have it changed.

Each of the military services maintains a discharge review board with authority to change, correct, or modify discharges or dismissals that are not issued by a sentence of a general court martial. The board has no authority to address medical discharges. The veteran or - if deceased or incompetent - the surviving spouse, next of kin or legal representative may apply for a review of discharge by writing to the military department concerned, using Department of Defense Form 293 (DD-293). This form may be obtained at any VA office. If more than 15 years have passed since discharge, DD Form 149 should be used for applications to the Board for the Correction of Military Records.

Service discharge review boards conduct hearings in Washington, D.C. Traveling review boards also visit selected cities to hear cases. In addition, the Army sends teams to locations to videotape the testimony of applicants for later review by a board in Washington, D.C.

Discharges awarded as a result of unauthorized absence in excess of 180 days make persons ineligible for VA benefits regardless of action taken by discharge review boards, unless VA determines there were compelling circumstances for the absences. In addition, boards for the correction of military records may consider such cases. Applications to these boards are made with DD Form 149.

Veterans with disabilities incurred or aggravated during active military service may qualify for medical or related benefits regardless of separation and characterization of service. Veterans separated administratively under other than honorable conditions may require that their discharge be reviewed for possible recharacterization, provided they file their appeal within 15 years of the date of separation.

Questions regarding the review of a discharge may be addressed to the appropriate discharge review board at the following addresses:

  • Army
    Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB)
    Attention: SFMR-RBB
    1901 South Bell Street, 2nd Floor,
    Arlington,
    VA 22202-4508.
    Website: http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/index.htm

  • Navy and USMC
    Secretary Of The Navy
    Council of Review Boards
    Attn: Naval Discharge Review Board
    720 Kennon St Se Ste 309
    Washington Navy Yard,
    DC 20374-5023
    Website: http://www.donhq.navy.mil/corb/ndrb/ndrbmainpage1.htm
  • Air Force
    Air Force Military Personnel Center
    Attention: DPMDOA1
    Randolph AFB, TX 78150-6001

  • Coast Guard
    Commandant (CG-122)
    United States Coast Guard
    2100 2nd Street S.W.
    Washington, DC 20593-0001