Can the VA change my Status from Honorable to Dishonorable 22 years after I was medically discharged from the Army?

CPL Steven Kensic — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:21:01 -0400

VA just changed my status from Honorable to Dishonorable 22 years after I was Honorably medically discharged from the Army. I have recently been awarded 70% disability for PTSD from a jump gone wrong which lead to surgery and the medically discharge. Can they do this and what does it mean?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 14 at 2022 6:26 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:26:59 -0400

Never heard of it- thought only your service component could change your discharge- Call them ASAAP

Response by HN Richard Varlay made Sep 14 at 2022 8:20 PM

HN Richard Varlay — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 20:20:27 -0400

Not if you were striking for a section 8.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2022 10:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 22:44:41 -0400

Sounds like a system glitch. The VA can't change your discharge one way or another, only the Army board of corrections can do that

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Sep 15 at 2022 10:27 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 10:27:14 -0400

The VA cannot upgrade or downgrade your characterization of service. They can however fat finger the data input and type in the wrong thing (admin error).

You will have to contact the patient advocate at VA and send them a copy of your DD214 showing your characterization of service. They may direct you somewhere else but that's a good place to start.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2022 11:41 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 11:41:47 -0400

That's definitely an error, I'd be on them every day until it's resolved.

You get a dishonorable discharge from a courts-martial not from any admin separation or clerical change.