Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 1/13/2010

Question
I was given an other-that-honorable discharge from the army, while in entry level status. before the discharge was issued, the jag officer told me that it would be upgraded in 6 months to an honorable discharge, but it never was. i went to the VA office and they said that it was next to impossible for this to happen. what can i do to fix this?

Answer
All you can really do is appeal to the VA to upgrade your discharge status.  The JAG should have told you that after 6 months you had the ability to ask for the OTH to be upgraded, but it is never automatic.  Get letters attesting to your character from people and include that in a packet and ask the VA to relook the status. They are correct in saying it is very very difficult to get it upgraded.