Helping Veterans upgrade their Discharge Status
By the Numbers
Veterans used the tool within the first eight months of launch
The Challenge
An estimated 75,000 of our nation’s Veterans were less than honorably discharged as a result of issues including their sexual orientation, undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or being victims of sexual assault. A less than honorable discharge not only keeps a Veteran from receiving care and benefits, but for many it also prevents reenlistment, eligibility for a competitive job, or reintegration to civilian life. Often, it also means that society doesn’t recognize them as a Veteran. The military indicated that Veterans discharged under these circumstances were likely to receive an upgraded status if they submitted a strong application, but the application process was complex. It was difficult for users to know which form to submit, what evidence to provide, and what military board to submit to.
The Solution
Digital Service at Veterans Affairs led a coalition of concerned employees across Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to build a tool that guides users through 9 questions and provides individualized results based on their responses. The customized plain language offers clear, step-by-step guidance on how a Veteran could present a strong application to upgrade their discharge status.
Nothing would make me prouder than getting my other than honorable discharge changed…I simply want the ability of saying, yes, I served proudly, and being able to state in an application that I served.
Former Airman 2nd Class Helen James, a radio operator, was dishonorably discharged of the Air Force in 1955 because she was a lesbian. She recently received on upgraded honorable discharge (Image courtesy of Legal Aid at Work).
Press
More projects
-
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPreparing for the Next Pandemic While Building Tech for COVID-19
We worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to quickly create and scale technology programs that digitize and share infectious disease test results in real-time.
-
Cross-agencyOptimizing benefits for families
Working alongside The Department of Treasury and the White House, we built ChildTaxCredit.gov to educate families about the expanded Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit. The USDS team relied on in-depth research to create a site that is accessible, easy-to-read, and provides resources to find free tax services.
-
Health and Human ServicesCritical code: building COVID-19 vaccine finder tools
With the American public eager for COVID-19 vaccinations, The White House partnered with the U.S. Digital Service, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Department of Health & Human Services, and Boston Children’s Hospital to launch a fleet of tools connecting people to life-saving vaccines.
-
Veterans AffairsSimplifying Veteran‑facing services through VA.gov
Each month, over 10 million people attempt to access the digital tools and content at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and have historically struggled to find what they’re looking for. Digital modernization efforts needed to focus on improving the user experience.
-
Health and Human ServicesModernizing the Medicare Payment System
Eight million lines of COBOL and 2.5 million lines of assembly running on 15 mainframes. 4.5 percent of the entire American economy is fueled by Medicare payments and 53 million people depend on it for their healthcare.
-
Cross-agencyChanging how the government hires technical talent
We helped develop a process that allows HR to leverage subject matter experts to evaluate candidates for specialized roles. The result restores fair and open access for all applicants, shortens the hiring timeline, and ensures applicants are truly qualified.