Experienced Character of Discharge Determination Attorneys.



Begin the Character of Discharge Determination process by signing up online today.
No wait, no hassle.

Get your life back
with Lifeback Legal.


  • Case handled by Character of Discharge (COD) determination review attorneys.
  • Knowledgeable about the Department of Veteran Affairs Character of Discharge (COD) review process.
  • Proven experience dealing with the Department of Veteran Affairs.
  • Prepared to deal with objections or requests.
  • Affordable, flat fees for all services.
  • Interest-free payment plans.
  • 14-day price matching guarantee.
Character of Discharge Determination Review Attorney
Character of Discharge Determination Review Attorney

Request a successful review of your Character of Discharge (COD) with the Department of Veteran Affairs.


If you received anything other than an honorable discharge on your DD-214 Discharge Certificate from the United States Armed Services then you know how it can create issues with receiving VA benefits. You can change this, however, by requesting a Character of Discharge (COD) determination review with the Department of Veteran Affairs.  

WHAT IS A CHARACTER OF DISCHARGE DETERMINATION?

Simply put, a way to get your life back.

A Character of Discharge Determination (COD), is a process which allows veterans with anything other than an honorable discharge on their DD-214 Discharge Certificate to have qualified persons at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) review their record for certain VA benefits. This does not change your discharge characterization, but may restore some of your benefits with the Department.

Lifeback Legal is a division of the Law firm of Shea M. Randall. Our law firm believes in serving and honoring our United States veterans and works hard to help you obtain the benefits you deserve. Our expert military discharge attorneys are prepared to give you the strongest case possible in Character of Discharge Determination request. 

In order to begin your Character of Discharge Determination (COD) request, we recommend first having your record examined by an experienced and licensed attorney. This analysis will help assess your case and provide you with a roadmap of how best to present your COD request. To help with this, our law firm provides a Military Discharge Relief Analysis for $300. A portion of this cost will then be applied as a credit towards your eligible service, should you decide to pursue it. The credit ranges from $100-$200 depending on the number of violations or cases on your record.

Sign up online today or contact our office now at (888) 751-5329 to speak with a Character of Discharge Determination review attorney.

 

How Can I Obtain a Character of Discharge Determination Review with the VA?

Begin the Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review process by signing up online today. No wait, no hassle.

If you are concerned with obtaining your benefits through the department of Veteran Affairs (VA), then we would suggest requesting a Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review with the Department. If you get a successful Character of Discharge Determination review after applying for one benefit, the good news is that you will also be eligible for other benefits such as healthcare, housing, service connected disability compensation, pension, and more. Your discharge will, therefore, no longer stand in the way of you obtaining VA benefits again.  This is especially true if you stayed in the military beyond your original End of Term Service (ETS) date. The only exception to this is the GI Bill, which is only for people who received an Honorable Discharge. If you have a less than an Honorable discharge, the only way to get GI Bill eligibility is with a Discharge Upgrade. If you want to the GI Bill, then, or to restore some of your civil liberties such as your firearm rights, then we would suggest instead obtaining a Discharge Upgrade or Changing the Narrative Reason for Separation. To learn more about these services, click here

Finally, please note that a Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review is not typically something that the VA does on their own, but is something you will need to request. This also means that If you have never applied for a benefit, the VA will simply assume that you are not eligible.

In order to begin this process with the department of Veteran Affairs (VA), you will need to do the following:

Character of Discharge Determination Review Attorney

Restore your Veteran Affair benefits.


A Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) does not change the characterization of your discharge, but can restore your benefits. This is even if a VA hospital staff said you were ineligible. 


Step 1: Apply for a benefit:


If you apply for a benefit, such as Compensation, Pension, or Home Loan Eligibility, then the VA will do a Character of Discharge Determination (COD) decision.  If you have not applied for a benefit, then the VA has never actually reviewed your service to decide if you’re eligible. You, therefore, need to apply. 

Also, please note that a VA hospital eligibility worker is not the appropriate person to determine your eligibility, so do not be discouraged if they have told you that you are ineligible. Instead, apply for one of the benefits below to make sure that the right people evaluate your service: 

  • For a disability from service: file for Compensation on a VA Form 21-526EZ
  • For an elderly, disabled, or low income: file for Pension on a VA Form 21-527EZ.
  • If you have no disabilities, but still want to access VA health care or other benefits: file for a Certificate of Eligibility for a VA Home loan using VA Form 26-1880. You don’t have to actually apply for a home loan.  Filing this form only acknowledges your ability to obtain a VA home loan and will trigger the VA to do a Character of Discharge review first.

Perform one of these three options even if you are really only interested in VA health care, VA housing assistance, or other VA benefits.  If you are successful, you will become eligible for those benefits as well.


Step 2: Include a Letter Explaining Your Eligibility:


While the VA will see your military record, this only tells them one side of the story, and often the worst side.  When you file for a benefit, you will, therefore, want to attach a letter telling your side of the story.

Some things you should discuss in your letter, include the following: 

  • Mental health conditions such as PTSD or TBI, that affected you while in service
  • Personal problems you experience while in the service, such as family problems, or harassment
  • The conditions of your service if they were stressful during the time leading up to your discharge
  • Any commendations for good service you obtained before the problems started

In addition, obtaining character reference letters for people who can vouch for you is also worthwhile. Obtain letters from respectable individuals who can vouch for your character and who can explain what was occurring at the time.


Step 3: Use the VA’s Own Language:


While the rules on Character of Discharge Determination can be complicated, for most people it’s surprisingly simple and based on just a few questions.

Typically, the VA will say that you are ineligible if there was “willful and persistent misconduct” in your service, however, the VA will also say that you are eligible if any discipline problems were “minor,” or if your service was “otherwise honest, faithful, and meritorious,” or if you had a mental health problem that made you act differently than normal, which the VA calls “insanity.”

Some of the buzz phrases you may want to include in your letter, then, include the following:

  • “My misconduct was not willful.” 
  • “My misconduct was not persistent.” 
  • “My misconduct was minor.”
  • “My service was otherwise honest, faithful and meritorious.” 
  • “My mental health at the time met the VA’s definition of “insanity.” 

These are not magic words, but can go a long way in helping the VA see how your story fits into the rules that they are supposed to use. The most important thing is just to tell your whole story, and to get other people to help tell your story.


Step 4: Request a Hearing:


When you file your benefits claim, you will also want to send in VA Form 21-4138 with this statement: “I request a hearing on the issue of my Character of Discharge.”

If you do this, the VA will invite you in person to talk with the person who will decide your eligibility.  You will be able to tell them exactly what happened, and the VA employee will be able to ask you questions about your experience.  You will also be able to bring other people with you, like friends or family members.  This can make a big difference, because it helps the VA see you as a person and better understand what happened to you.


Step 5: Wait:


Unfortunately, as a government agency, the VA can take a long time to make these decisions, but it is worth the wait, however.  If the VA decides in your favor for one benefit, it opens the door for the other benefits also and you won’t have to deal with it again.

Finally, there are some services that the VA provides to people even if they never requested a Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review, or if the Character of Discharge Determination is negative.

  • Therapy for people who served in a combat theater or who experienced sexual assault. These services are available at VA Vet Centers.  To locate a Vet Center near you, visit http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter_flsh.asp.
  • Medical care related to sexual assault. Ask to speak with the “MST Coordinator” at your local VA hospital.
  • Housing services. Homeless shelter services under the Grant Per Diem program, and rental support under the Supportive Services for Veterans and Families programs, are available to people who served in the military unless they received a fully “Dishonorable” discharge.  (This may be subject to change).

If you would like help in preparing your Character of Discharge Determination paperwork to the VA, our military discharge attorneys are experienced with the process and can help prepare you the strongest case possible. Sign up online today or contact our office now at (888) 751-5329 to speak with a Character of Discharge Determination (COD) attorney.


Character of Discharge Determination Review Attorney

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    Character of Discharge Determination Review Attorney

    Shea M. Randall

    Founding Attorney

    In order to begin the process of your Character of Discharge (COD) review, we strongly recommend having your military record examined by an experienced and licensed attorney. This is because there are several possible issues involved and by seeing the totality of your record, we can best advise you of next steps.

    To help with this we offer a comprehensive Military Discharge Relief Analysis for $300, which allows us to review your record in order to provide you with a roadmap to the best approach to obtain your relief.  A portion of this cost will then be applied as a credit towards your eligible service, should you decide to pursue it. The credit ranges from $100-$200 depending on the number of violations or cases on your record.

    Lifeback Legal is a division of the Law Firm of Shea M. Randall, a trusted California Law Firm. We specialize in helping individuals get their life back with California criminal record expungements and federal licensing services.

    Begin your Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review online today or by contacting our office today at (888) 751-5329 to speak with a Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review attorney.


    Character of Discharge Determinaton
    $300
    Applies as a credit towards your eligible service.
    Flat fee. Transparent pricing.
    Begin My Character of Discharge Determination

    Character of Discharge Determination Review Attorney

    INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:


    • Case handled by Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review attorney
    • Proven experience dealing with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
    • Analysis Typically Takes 7-14 Business days
    • Check the progress of your casework in our secure, online portal
    • Outstanding Customer Service
    • Fixed, Flat Fee

    Experienced Character of Discharge Determination Attorneys.



    Begin the Character of Discharge Determination process by signing up online today.
    No wait, no hassle.

    Character of Discharge Determination Review Attorney

    Get your life back
    with Lifeback Legal.

    • Case handled by Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review attorneys.
    • Knowledgeable about the Department of Veteran Affairs Character of Discharge Determination (COD) review process.
    • Proven experience dealing with the Department of Veteran Affairs.
    • Prepared to deal with objections or requests.
    • Affordable, flat fees for all services.
    • Interest-free payment plans.
    • 14-day price matching guarantee.

    Need assistance?
    Call (888) 751-5329.