PTSD Discharge Upgrade Attorney
Regaining the Honor You Deserve: Why You Need a PTSD Discharge Upgrade Lawyer
We fight for veterans to receive a fair and accurate discharge characterization. Free consultation.
Unfair Discharge? / Get the Upgrade You Deserve.
If you left the military with a less-than-honorable discharge, you may feel like your service is defined by a single mistake. For many veterans, that “mistake” was actually the result of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other mental health conditions that went untreated.
At the Military Law Center, we fight for veterans who deserve a second chance. As an experienced PTSD discharge upgrade attorney, I help clients petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) and the Discharge Review Board (DRB) to correct unjust discharges and restore access to benefits.
Recently, we secured a major victory for a Navy veteran whose PTSD directly contributed to his separation. His story shows how powerful the right evidence, and the right advocacy, can be.
Why Hire a PTSD Discharge Upgrade Attorney?
The military discharge upgrade process is complex. Many veterans file on their own, only to receive a denial because they don’t know how to frame their case under the law.
A PTSD discharge upgrade lawyer can:
- Identify service-related mental health conditions that contributed to misconduct
- Gather military medical records and civilian diagnoses
- Obtain expert nexus opinions connecting PTSD to behavior during service
- Present sworn statements from family, friends, or fellow service members
- Apply the “liberal consideration” standard required under 10 U.S.C. § 1552(h)
Without skilled representation, many veterans are denied relief—even when their service-connected PTSD clearly influenced their actions.
Navy Veteran’s PTSD Discharge Upgrade Success Story
Our client served just over a year in the Navy before being convicted at a Special Court-Martial for unauthorized absence and marijuana use. He left the service with a Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD).
What the record did not show: he was already struggling with severe PTSD symptoms during service. Military medical records documented anxiety, depression, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts. Later, civilian providers formally diagnosed him with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
His misconduct—leaving his unit and self-medicating-wasn’t about defiance. It was evidence of untreated mental health conditions.
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Rebuilding the Case After Denial
The veteran first petitioned the BCNR on his own and was denied. When he turned to the Military Law Center, we rebuilt his case with a strong focus on PTSD:
- In-service medical records documenting mental health struggles
- A psychiatric opinion linking PTSD to his misconduct
- Sworn statements from family and a fellow sailor about his decline
- Documentation of ongoing disability tied to PTSD
This evidence created a clear record that his misconduct was not simply misconduct—it was a direct consequence of untreated PTSD.
Liberal Consideration for PTSD Discharge Upgrades
Federal law requires liberal consideration when PTSD, TBI, or Military Sexual Trauma (MST) contributed to a veteran’s discharge. Pentagon policy memoranda (Hagel, Carson, Kurta, Wilkie) reaffirm this standard.
In our client’s case, the BCNR applied liberal consideration and agreed with a Navy-appointed mental health professional that his absences and drug use were consistent with PTSD symptoms. The Board ruled that his mental health conditions outweighed the misconduct and upgraded his discharge to General (Under Honorable Conditions).
Benefits After a PTSD Discharge Upgrade
This upgrade transformed our client’s life. He now has:
- Financial stability through VA disability compensation
- Housing stability with eligibility for a VA home loan
- Medical stability through VA healthcare, including PTSD treatment
- Restored dignity and recognition as a member of the veteran community
After 21 years, he finally received the justice he deserved.
At Military Law Center, we understand the frustration and potential shame you might feel with an unfair discharge. Your service deserves to be recognized accurately. That’s why we build strong, results-oriented relationships with our veteran clients. We will take the time to listen to your story thoroughly, understand the specific circumstances of your discharge, and determine if an upgrade is possible. We are relentless in gathering evidence and building a compelling case that fights for the upgrade you deserve. We won’t back down until you receive a fair and accurate discharge characterization that reflects your service and commitment.
When to Seek a PTSD Discharge Upgrade
If you were discharged with a BCD, OTH, or General discharge and have since been diagnosed with PTSD, you may qualify for a discharge upgrade. Even if your separation was decades ago, the law allows you to petition for correction of your record.
At the Military Law Center, we focus on cases where mental health conditions explain conduct that was once punished harshly. With strong evidence and experienced advocacy, you may be able to restore your benefits and your honor.
Contact a PTSD Discharge Upgrade Attorney
Are you seeking a PTSD discharge upgrade? Don’t go it alone. The process is complex, and a single missing piece of evidence can make the difference between approval and denial.
Contact Military Law Center today for a free consultation. We will review your case, gather the evidence you need, and fight to restore the benefits and recognition you earned.
Military Law Center Is Ready to Help You – Right Now.
Call Us Today – (760) 536-9038
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