Identify what needs to change

• Characterization of service
• Narrative reason
• Separation code
• Reentry code
• Other DD-214 information
• VA eligibility despite an unchanged DD-214

Discharge Review Board

Current DD Form 293 and 10 U.S.C. § 1553 establish the Discharge Review Board route for qualifying discharges, generally within 15 years of discharge. DoDI 1332.28 describes review in terms of propriety and equity.

Correction board

The current DD Form 293 directs applicants discharged more than 15 years ago to the applicable Board for Correction using DD Form 149. Some discharge types and requested remedies also belong with the correction board rather than the DRB.

VA character-of-discharge review is different

VA explains that its character-of-discharge determination may affect eligibility for VA benefits but does not itself change the DD-214. A person may therefore need to distinguish benefit eligibility from the separate objective of changing the military record.

Evidence file: complete separation packet, DD-214, misconduct/adverse records, medical and mental-health evidence where relevant, service history, post-service evidence, prior board decisions, and the precise changes requested.

Official sources

• DoD — DD Form 293
• VA — Discharge Upgrade Instructions
• DoD — DoDI 1332.28 Discharge Review Board Procedures
• 10 U.S.C. § 1553 — Review of discharge or dismissal

Source status: SRC-069; SRC-070; SRC-071; SRC-080 verified October 4, 2026. Follow the decision notice and current service/agency instructions when they provide a more specific deadline or filing route.