If you are considering a military discharge upgrade, we understand that you might feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what lies ahead. At Phillips & McCrea, PLLC, we are here to help guide you through this process with care and understanding. Mental health challenges, including PTSD, can make your situation feel even more difficult, but they also play an important role in discharge upgrade cases. Our team is committed to helping you pursue a positive outcome and ensuring your voice is heard.
Understanding Military Discharges and Mental Health Challenges
Military discharges are issued for various reasons, ranging from honorable to other-than-honorable or even dishonorable. The type of discharge you receive impacts your ability to access benefits such as healthcare, education assistance, and housing support. For many veterans, mental health challenges like PTSD significantly affect their military service and their behavior while serving. Unfortunately, these issues are often misunderstood, and some service members receive less-than-honorable discharges because of symptoms related to untreated mental health conditions.
PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders can lead to behaviors that may not align with military expectations. These include issues like missed duty, difficulty following orders, or struggles with substance use. While these actions might result in disciplinary action, they are often rooted in deeper mental health struggles. Veterans facing this situation may feel unfairly judged or overlooked, which can add to the emotional burden of seeking a discharge upgrade.
The Role of PTSD and Mental Health in Discharge Upgrade Cases
PTSD and other mental health issues are important factors when seeking a discharge upgrade. They provide context for why certain behaviors occurred during your service. Boards that review discharge upgrade requests are required to consider evidence of mental health conditions, especially if they were connected to your service. This consideration is critical because it can shift the focus from disciplinary actions to the underlying challenges that caused them.
For example, if PTSD led to outbursts or difficulty following orders, the review board may take this into account when determining whether your discharge status should be changed. The board may also consider whether your mental health condition was properly diagnosed or treated during your service. Demonstrating that your condition impacted your actions can strengthen your case and show that a less-than-honorable discharge does not fully reflect your service or character.
Attorney Attorney Attorney
Michael Phillips
Marcel McCrea
Natalie Andruczyk
How to Build a Strong Discharge Upgrade Case with PTSD or Mental Health Issues
When you apply for a discharge upgrade, it is essential to gather evidence that supports your case. This includes medical records, statements from mental health professionals, and any documentation showing how PTSD or other mental health conditions affected your service. You may also include personal statements and letters from fellow service members, family, or friends who can testify to the challenges you faced and the efforts you made to overcome them.
One of the most important pieces of evidence in these cases is a diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional. If you were not diagnosed during your service, seeking an evaluation after leaving the military can still provide valuable insight into how your condition affected your time in the military. The discharge review board will consider this information when deciding whether to upgrade your discharge.
It is also important to explain how your mental health challenges are connected to your military service. This can include incidents such as exposure to combat, traumatic events, or other stressors that caused or worsened your condition. By showing this connection, you can demonstrate that your discharge status was influenced by circumstances beyond your control.
The Importance of Empathy and Advocacy in Discharge Upgrade Cases
At Phillips & McCrea, PLLC, we know that every veteran’s story is unique. Seeking a discharge upgrade is not just about changing your paperwork; it is about reclaiming your dignity and access to the benefits you deserve. Mental health challenges like PTSD are deeply personal, and they can be difficult to talk about. That is why we approach every case with empathy and respect for what you have been through.
Our goal is to help you feel heard and supported throughout this process. We will work with you to build a strong case that highlights your service and the challenges you faced. Discharge upgrade cases involving PTSD or mental health conditions can be complex, but having someone in your corner who understands the process can make all the difference.
Michael was a pleasure to work with. He made sure all of my questions were answered in a timely manner. His compassion to help allowed me to receive excellence throughout my experience, i would highly recommend his expertise” - Anonymous Philips and McCrea Law firm provided excellent service to entire family and friends. There have been several situations that I/family /friends have depended on their legal service’s. On each occasion they have been professional, knowledgeable and dependable. Providing excellent representation and guidance under stressful situations. I would highly recommend their legal service." - Denise Simply great legal service. They were professional, easy to work with and thorough. I have been very pleased with their service and would highly recommend them to my friends and colleagues as exceptional Charlotte attorneys." - Logan Abrams 
How Phillips & McCrea, PLLC Can Help
Navigating a discharge upgrade case can feel intimidating, especially when mental health issues are involved. You might worry about how to present your case, what evidence to gather, or whether the board will truly understand what you went through. That is where Phillips & McCrea, PLLC, can help. We are here to guide you through every step of this journey and to help you seek the outcome you deserve.
Our team can assist you in gathering and organizing the evidence needed to support your case. This includes obtaining medical records, securing evaluations from mental health professionals, and preparing personal statements. We will also ensure that your application is thorough and compelling, so the review board has all the information it needs to make a fair decision.
Most importantly, we will stand by your side as advocates who genuinely care about your well-being. We know how much a discharge upgrade can mean for you and your future, and we are dedicated to helping you pursue the benefits and recognition you have earned.
If you are ready to seek a discharge upgrade, we encourage you to take the first step by reaching out to Phillips & McCrea, PLLC. The process may feel daunting, but you do not have to face it alone. We understand the challenges that come with mental health issues and military service, and we are here to help you navigate this process with confidence and compassion.
A discharge upgrade can open the door to benefits that improve your quality of life and provide the support you need to move forward. It can also restore your honor and reflect the sacrifices you made during your time in the military. If PTSD or other mental health challenges impacted your service, let us help you tell your story and pursue the justice you deserve.
Contact Phillips & McCrea, PLLC today to learn more about how we can assist with your discharge upgrade case. We are here to help you take the next step toward a better future.