Has anyone successfully gotten the ABCMR to make major changes to a DD-214?

2025-12-23T01:00:10-05:00

I was medically retired in 2024 after I overloaded a life during the ACFT. Dumbest thing ever. My NARSUM states that they expected me to recover within 12 months. At no point prior to MRDP did they send me to a specialist. I was only permitted to do conservative treatment due to the MTF not having a neurosurgeon who could help me out. Within 90 days of my exit I had surgery. I'm 18 months post-op, back in the gym building up my tempo and I really want to try to see if the ABCMR would update my DD-214 so I can go back through the recruiters and get back to the line.

Note: I have to send orders (if I can get into iPerms) to verify@rallypoint to update my account. I haven't been on here in years. I was in C Co, 1-33 CAV, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). I didn't "earn" a retirement. I was given a hand out instead of a hand up and have hated it the whole time. I take no pride in it. It was so rushed that some of my paperwork says PFC while my ID and other paperwork say SPC. Talk about getting the big green weenie.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 23 at 2025 8:23 AM

2025-12-23T08:23:37-05:00

Unless things have changed, submit a dd215 to your service branch with supporting documents to the National Archives.

Response by COL Randall Cudworth made Dec 23 at 2025 11:26 AM

2025-12-23T11:26:08-05:00

BLUF: You've a steep mountain to climb. Is it possible? Yes. Is it probable? That depends on how much clear and convincing evidence you would be able to provide to the board.

Michael, in regards to your account, the first thing you would need to do is change your account type to veteran in the settings page*. After that you can easily verify your service easily by using ID.me (go to the top of the settings page and click on the link to the right of "verification' under 'Account Settings'.

To your specific question. The ABCMR often issues major changes to separation documents, however the criteria is always the same - the individual must show that the Army did something in error or that you were the subject of a grave injustice. In either case, the burden will be on you to provide that clear and convincing evidence why your determination should be changed.

Based on your statement, no error was committed in medically separating you, however you obviously feel that there was an injustice committed. At face value, you would have to show to the board that your standard of care while on active duty was not acceptable, that if the acceptable standard of care was given that you would have been able to recover to meet the standards of medical fitness, and that your recovery would likely have been in an adequate period to meet retention policy (i.e., 12 month non-deployable, etc.).

The different nuances and complexity in proving that could be substantial so you would really need to consult with experts about how big of a mountain you'll have to climb (some VSOs can help, there are lawyers who specialize in the different Service's BCMR, etc.).
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* Account settings page - https://www.rallypoint.com/settings

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