Legislation gives consideration to petitions for changes in discharge status if service member has been diagnosed with a mental trauma
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.) received an update on the implementation of his Fairness for Veterans law during a Senate Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Joint Committee hearing focused on easing the transition from military service to civilian life.
The law helps veterans who may have been erroneously given a less than honorable discharge from the military by giving consideration to petitions for changes in discharge status if the service member has been diagnosed with a mental trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
Peters asked Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Ashish Vazirani and Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs what their agencies are doing to ensure those leaving or having already left military service are aware of opportunities to petition a discharge review.
Vazirani said the Department of Defense is working with each military department to ensure that servicem embers are aware of opportunities, including through websites with resources. Under Secretary Jacobs said the VA is working to actively increase outreach and to create regulations that may improve outcomes for veterans with less than honorable discharges.
“We can all agree that it's critical that our veterans have the support that they need as they transition into civilian life, which is why it's been a priority of mine to introduce legislation that was signed into law to help veterans who may have been wrongly given a less than honorable discharge from the military as a result of PTSD and TBI that was simply not diagnosed,” said Peters.
A less than honorable discharge is often given for instances of minor misconduct such as being late to formation and missing appointments – behavior that can be seen in those suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other trauma-related conditions.