How should I go about presenting myself in a letter to the VA Board in hopes of getting my RE Code changed?

Most often these kinds of changes have to show why it was wrong in the beginning to change the code. Dont get confused with this process and the waiver process. Changing something old you show how it was wrong where as with a waiver, you need to show how you have changed or improved. SFC (Join to see)

First, you'll need to know it's not the VA that does that. You would need a better reason than you believe you won't need a waiver. It will probably be faster to get the waiver.

In line with what COL John McClellan said, be straightforward and truthful.

I always loved the Army memo format:

Paragraph 1: This is the situation
Paragraph 2: This is the problem with the situation
Paragraph 3: This is my recommended fix for the situation
Paragraph 4: This is who is responsible and how to contact them

Signature.

(Sometimes Paragraphs may take more than one paragraph or may be combined).


It makes everything streamlined, lets people know what is going on, and what needs to happen. For you, it would look something like:

1. I am currently looking at re-entering service. I was discharged with RE Code X which prevents this (or make this process more difficult, etc.)
2. I believe that RE Code X was applied to me erroneously for the following reasons. A. B. C. I believe the appropriate RE Code should have been Y.
3. I respectfully request (this board / this panel . you / the members / etc.) re-consider my RE code, and ammend my record to reflect RE Code Y.
4. POC for this action is the undersigned at (phone) (e-mail).



When typing it, provide as much RELEVANT detail as possible, but MAKE SURE IT IS RELEVANT. If you 1SG "had it out for you," it doesn't matter unless you can show how that had a DIRECT impact on your RE Code. Even if you feel like he "influenced" things, it doesn't matter. Same for things like injuries, unless your RE code is a reflection of injuries.

A good memo is almost always in the 1-2 page range. If it isn't filling a full page, there probably isn't enough detail. If it spills onto a 3rd page, there is probably too much. There are exceptions, but they are rare.


Also, it is OK to use attachments, especially for things like medical records, counseling statements, legal documents, and the like. Don't re-type that info, just say see attached document (and list it at the bottom as an attachment).



Just my advice. I like the format because it conveys a lot of information in a concise, direct, non-aggressive manner. But do it how you want.