Self-Help Guides

Upgrading Your Discharge and Changing the Reason for Your Discharge

We offer a how-to guide that explains the process of applying for a military discharge upgrade or a change in the reason for your military discharge.

VA Character of Service Determinations: An Alternative to Discharge Review

You left the military with a discharge that was less than fully Honorable. The discharge hasn’t been upgraded. You may still be able to get VA benefits — if the VA makes a favorable Character of Discharge Determination.

Writing Your PTSD Stressor Statement

We guide you step-by-step through the process of preparing an effective stressor statement for your PTSD claim.

Re-Enlistment: The Basics

Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of re-enlisting.

PTSD Statements from Friends and Family Members

You probably have an idea of how the veteran’s life has been affected by military service. Here’s how to tell the VA what you’ve observed.

Ordering Courts-Martial Transcripts and Military Investigative Records

We offer complete instructions for ordering transcripts and investigative records, with sample letters you can use.

Back-to-Back and Conditional Discharges

You stayed in the service beyond your original ETS date, but you left the military with a discharge that was less than fully Honorable. You may still be able to get most VA benefits — without a discharge upgrade or a Character of Service Determination.

Overpayments of VA Benefits

What should you do when the VA claims that you’ve been overpaid? Here’s a step-by-step guide.

Compensation and Pension Examinations

What happens at a VA “C and P” examination? How should you prepare for the exam? We explain the process and offer some helpful tips.

Plan Ahead: Protect Your Rights Before You Leave the Military

After you’re discharged, you may want to apply for VA benefits or a discharge upgrade. You’ll need documentation and the time to get it is now — while you’re still in the military. Here’s a comprehensive list of the materials you’ll need.

Requesting Copies of Military Records

You can order your records online or by mail. Here’s how.

Kennedy Settlement Information

DD214 Name Corrections for Transgender Veterans

Although the Department of Defense has yet to issue official guidance to veterans seeking to change their name on military separation documents, this guide seeks to provide a step-by-step process to requesting these records corrections.

DD214 Corrections for Veterans Discharged Under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and Prior Policies

This guide is intended to set forth a step-by-step process to upgrading a less than fully Honorable discharge characterization, changing the narrative reason for discharge, and upgrading the reenlistment code (RE-Code) for veterans discharged under DADT and prior policies.

California’s Alternative Sentencing for Veterans and Service Personnel

If you’re facing time in a California jail or prison, there’s a state law that could get you into a treatment program instead.

Agent Orange: The Basics

If you believe you were exposed to Agent Orange, you need to know how the VA decides whether you’re entitled to benefits. We explain the process.

Guidelines for a PTSD Mental Health Evaluation

We offer an outline for a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional.

Dealing with Government Agencies

If you’re doing business with government agencies such as the VA and the Social Security Administration, follow these pointers to simplify the process and improve your chances of success.

Discharge Upgrade Information for Military Prisoners

There are steps you can take while you’re incarcerated to improve your chances for a discharge upgrade after you’re released.

Information for Incarcerated Veterans

What should happen to your VA benefits when you’re incarcerated? Nothing — unless you’ve been convicted. We explain the rules.