Restoration of Honor Act

​Discharge Upgrade Information

Do you qualify for discharge upgrade?

Veterans who believe the characterization of their discharge from military service was unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade are encouraged to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction at BOTH the state and federal level. 

​The Maryland’s Restoration of Honor Act The Maryland Restoration of Honor Act authorizes the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families (DVMF) to restore State Veterans Benefits to veterans who have an other-than-honorable (OTH), a General Under Honorable Conditions (GUH), or Uncharacterized (UC) character of service due to:


  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI);
  • Military Sexual Trauma (MST);
  • Sexual orientation or gender identity; or 
  • Other criteria established in 38 C.F.R. § 3.12 

How to apply to upgrade your discharge status for Maryland benefits  

To access the fact sheet, application packet and the application, click this application and mail documents to:

Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families 
ATTN: DVMF Discharge Review Board
16 Francis Street​, 4th Floor Annapolis, MD 21401

How to apply to upgrade your federal discharge status

The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs jointly operate an online tool to facilitate your application process. By answering a series of questions, you will receive customized instructions on how to apply, and to which board to apply, for a discharge upgrade or correction HERE.

Free Legal Help

If you need assistance with your VA or DOD upgrade applications, the DVMF has partnered with the University of Baltimore School of Law Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic to provide FREE help. Email [email protected] to inquire about assistance with your federal upgrade discharge application.