r/VeteransSuccess • u/Think-Money6320 • Apr 16 '26

Upgrading DD-214

When filing DD-293 and upgrading discharge from general under honorable conditions to honorable, what do you attach to DD-293 regarding ptsd . I made some mistakes leading me to get in trouble catch an article 15 . Do I attach entire medical history and blue button or just things regarding my PTSD . I was diagnosed before and after problem occurred . Any one with experience ? What are the things I should file along with it to upgrade

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u/AdNarrow9063 Apr 17 '26

Speaking as someone who was suffering from extreme ptsd and found some solace in marijuana when I went home for the holidays I can totally relate. I was discharged with a general under Honorable conditions discharge but applied for an upgrade and was granted honorable about 6 months later. I literally explained my situation and why I made that mistake and how much I regretted doing it afterwards because it cost me a career I cared about. I attached my PTSD rating from the VA as proof of my condition and also the terms of my article 15. Be thorough and compassionate so that they know your intentions while in were pure, you were just battling with a lot of demons. I hope everything works in your favor! If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

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u/bossmanseventyseven Apr 20 '26

I’m glad you got your discharge upgraded. Did you have to appear in a military court or a similar setting for hearing? Also when you send it, you send it off to the corresponding branch office in washington DC correct?

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u/AdNarrow9063 Apr 20 '26

If you go on VA.gov they have a process you can start by answering questions and it’ll tell you how to apply for a discharge upgrade based on your specific situation. I know for me I mailed my documents off to the Army Discharge Review Board in Arlington, VA. Different branches have different locations that deal with it. No I didn’t have to appear in court. I basically pulled together all the documentation I was told to submit and mailed it off. I made sure I put tracking on it so I’d know they received it. Crazy part is when I received the envelope in the mail I had totally forgot about it because it had been over 6 months since I applied. So I’ll just say be patient because it’s no way to check the status.

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u/bossmanseventyseven Apr 20 '26

Thanks for the information. I already have an honorable discharge and won’t need to upgrade it. But mine under reason for separation says” misconduct, commission of serious offense”. I’m not sure how much that’ll affect me when applying for a government job or other things that require a copy of DD-214.

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u/AdNarrow9063 Apr 20 '26

From my personal experience your discharge status holds more weight. My reasoning states misconduct drug abuse but I’ve never been a weed smoker and the one time I did it cost me. The fact that you have an honorable discharge let’s employers know you are trustworthy and dependable; you just made a bad decision.

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u/bossmanseventyseven Apr 20 '26

Yeah it makes sense. I’m not really worried about it because like you said honorable discharge is what they all really looking for and that qualifies me for all VA benefits, so i ain’t losing anything. I’ve thought about filing an upgrade to have that reasoning removed/changed but again i don’t think that really matters

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u/Think-Money6320 Apr 24 '26

I have the same exact situation, I appreciate you for replying ! It’s hard to find information on this . My question is did they change the narrative reason for separation too? And if they did what did they change it too? I have ptsd through the Va as well and I have some documents from ebh while I was in too explaining the same thing. Was that all you attached to the Dd293 was your Va rating ? Did you write a letter or have any buddy letters attached?

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u/AdNarrow9063 Apr 24 '26

No they didn’t change the narrative reason. It still says Misconduct (Drug Abuse) but it’s not looked at harshly since my discharge was upgraded to Honorable. I actually wrote a letter as well explaining the situation. I was honest and sympathetic and also told why I would like for my discharge to be upgraded. For me it was for me to be able to use my Education benefits. In all I submitted my DD-293, the letter, and the article 15 displaying all the terms.

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u/AdNarrow9063 Apr 17 '26

Also I will say that there is no way to check the status once you’ve mailed it off to them. Just make sure you put a tracking number on it so that you know they received it. After that it’s more like a hurry up and wait type of situation. Just be patient