Can I attempt to get my discharge upgraded, even though I was discharged 2 years ago?

2019-11-15T20:20:52-05:00

I was discharged on October 29, 2017. My discharge is general under honorable conditions (EPTS). I subluxated two ribs and was taken to sick hall immediately. The captain there said the injury was too severe and told my drill sergeant that I had to go to he ER.

He doctors at the hospital couldn’t do much besides drug me up and put a brace on my chest.

After a couple weeks of going to physical therapy, there was no progress that was made. My physical therapist then recommended me to the chiropractor. The chiropractor tried to pop it back in place but was unable to do so. My estimated recovery time was 6-8 months. I was to spend my time in C-95 (the medical unit). I had no communication with my family (I could send mail, but couldn’t receive mail) and I became quite depressed with the situation.

After a few weeks, I started to lose hope. Being very gullible and upset with the situation, I accepted an EPTS discharge. I regret this decision, because even now, I have problems with my chest (lifting heavy things, moving my body a certain way, etc.).

Do you think it’d be possible to get my discharge upgraded?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2019 8:31 PM

2019-11-15T20:31:01-05:00

So are they saying the injury existed prior to service? If you agreed to the terms of the discharge, then you are going to have one hell of a fight to prove the injury was service related. I will say a lot of individuals who get discharged out of IET are usually EPTS related.

If the injury occurred during active service outside of IET, then you would have underwent a MEB and received a VA disability rating, which from my understanding, you do not receive from injuries that occur in basic without applying for the rating.

The GUHC discharge is not saying you did anything wrong, all it is saying is that you did not do enough to deserve an honorable discharge.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2019 8:33 PM

2019-11-15T20:33:33-05:00

I am guessing you want to upgrade the discharge to say there was no pre-existing condition? That’s going to be a tough task if you signed the paperwork agreeing to it. You signed a legal document admitting it was pre existing.

You might have a shot at filing a claim on the grounds you had a pre existing condition and a service incident aggravated the condition (still a tough sale for benefits).

If you are trying to get compensation for it then you should go speak with a veterans service rep and then you can request a copy of your medical records and go through the process of filing a claim.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 15 at 2019 10:06 PM

2019-11-15T22:06:16-05:00

What is the RE Code, disposition. Code, and characterization of the discharge. Most IET discharges are uncharacterized because of duration.

There are resources at the RP Topic RE Code, including upgrading discharges. https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/re-code/about

RE Code | RallyPoint

RE Code

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2019 10:55 PM

2019-11-16T22:55:40-05:00

There is statue of limitations of requirements to request a discharge upgrade. I believe it’s 5 years. But don’t quote me.Did you file a claim for disability with the Department of Vietnam Affairs? Though you have a General Under Honorable Conditions, you could still qualify for compensation. As for the discharge upgrade some of the Veterans Services Organizations might be able to help you or your County Veterans Service Officers. They can help you with both of these matters.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Nov 16 at 2019 11:27 PM

2019-11-16T23:27:51-05:00

I had to look up the medical condition you stated was the cause for you taking a GUHC/EPTS discharge, I'm a retired 68W3(old school 91B30), it' could be costly both monetarily and mentally. In reviewing the condition you stated, I don't believe you would have survived past ten days of entry level training if you had dislocated you ribs prior to entry; it hurt like a heart attack the first time didn't it. So, first, you have to prove that the condition did not exist prior to entry, i.e. pre service medical records, physical activities you were involved with prior to entry (football, baseball, Walmart stocker, Auto service technician, Landscaper), and on what week of training you were in when the injury occurred. You will also need your current medical records and an opinion by a orthopedic physician/Surgeon that the injury could have, or was, caused from the exercise/training being conducted on the day of injury. Second, since PVT's are (insert Adjectives here), you will have to prove whom advised you to "admit" that the condition existed prior to Service to receive a GUCH/EPTS discharge. That will be the most difficult considering.

However, I find your statement about communicating with your family and not receiving mail ludicrous, unless your BCT unit was failing to forward your mail, and there are other forms of communication besides USPS. I do understand the "depression" of 6 to 8 months of rehab/recovery from your injury, and being place in Med Hold with other wounded warriors that the idea of accepting any type of discharge is like a reprieve.

So, start at a VA service center or local DAV with a copy of your DD-214, and see what they can do...