VA launches online tool to simplify discharge process for veterans
March 03, 2018
Veterans seeking to alter or upgrade their discharge conditions can now do so more easily by using a new online tool. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joined forces with the Department of Defense (DoD) to launch a program that provides customized guidance to former service members who were given an unfair discharge characterization or were discharged unfairly.
The initiative aims to make the process of filing for a discharge change simpler. DoD officials said veterans have previously complained about the process being overwhelming, disorganized and hard to understand. Department officials encouraged former service members “who believe their discharge was unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade” to apply for a review by using the tool.
Veterans using the new online tool simply need to answer some quick questions to determine the correct form to complete for a discharge upgrade request. They then receive personalized case-related information, along with useful tips and recommendations on supporting documentation to submit with their application.
The DoD believes several thousand veterans are eligible to apply for an upgrade to bad paper discharges. VA Secretary David Shulkin urged former service members to take advantage of the new tool to apply for a discharge review if they are seeking one.
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