The Military Discharge Upgrade Manual
How to Upgrade Your Discharge, Fix Your DD-214, and Reclaim the VA Benefits You Were Denied
Your Toolkit Includes
Editable guides, templates, trackers, and calculators designed to be used alongside the book. Each file mirrors a concept or chapter from the guide — download what you need, fill it in, and build your civilian life with the same discipline that built your military career.
The Military Discharge Upgrade Manual
FWD Assist Publishing
Built by Joshua Christopherson. VA disability claims educator. Air Force and Air National Guard disabled veteran with hands-on VSO experience.
Get the one-page discharge upgrade application checklist.
Free printable PDF that distills this toolkit into one page you can take to your next appointment.
No sales calls. Unsubscribe any time.
About This Topic
A step-by-step guide to the military discharge upgrade process through the Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military Records. Covers every discharge type, the grounds for upgrade including liberal consideration for mental health and MST, how to build a petition, and how an upgraded discharge unlocks VA benefits.
What the Book Covers
Key topics and takeaways from The Military Discharge Upgrade Manual:
Who This Is For
- Veterans with Other Than Honorable or Bad Conduct discharges
- Veterans whose DD-214 doesn't reflect the truth of their service
- Veterans denied VA benefits because of discharge characterization
- Anyone seeking to upgrade their military discharge
Download the Entire Toolkit
All 13 files in one zip · 0.1 MB
Companion Toolkit
13 files for The Military Discharge Upgrade Manual — Organized by where you are in the transition.
Assessment & Preparation
2 files
Career & Employment
8 files
Board Selection Filing
XLSXFile a Board appeal and choose between direct review, evidence, or hearing docket
8 KB
DD214 Assessment Guide
XLSXReview your DD-214 for errors and understand what each block means for benefits
8 KB
DRB BCMR Decision Guide
DOCXChoose between the Discharge Review Board and Board for Correction of Military Records
17 KB
Hearing Preparation Kit
XLSXPrepare for your discharge upgrade hearing with evidence and talking points
6 KB
Planning & Strategy
3 files
Claims Master Tracker
XLSXTrack every claim, rating, effective date, and status in one master spreadsheet
11 KB
How to Use This Toolkit
Every file is yours to keep. The Word documents (.docx) are your guides, templates, and planning tools — open them, fill in your information, and use them as you build your civilian life. The spreadsheets (.xlsx) are your trackers and calculators — they include real formulas that do the math for you. Save them to your computer and update them as your situation changes.
Related Topics
Military Sexual Trauma VA Claims
The Complete Guide to VA Disability Benefits for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors
VA Disability Primer
The First-Time Veteran's Guide to VA Disability Benefits, Service Connection, and Filing Your Claim
How to Use VA Healthcare
The Complete Enrollment and Navigation Guide
Disclaimer: FWD Assist HQ and FWD Assist Publishing provide educational resources only. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice, medical advice, or accredited representation. Always consult with an accredited VA attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Officer for personalized guidance.