Free Legal Help for Discharge Upgrades: NVLSP, S2P, and Law School Clinics

You don't need a paid lawyer for a discharge upgrade. The free options are extensive, and many of them have higher upgrade rates than private firms because they specialize in this exact work. Here's the directory.

NVLSP — National Veterans Legal Services Program

nvlsp.org

The biggest, most experienced national veterans legal nonprofit. NVLSP co-authored much of the litigation behind the Hagel/Kurta/Wilkie memos and has been driving discharge-upgrade policy for decades.

• What they take: Discharge upgrades (DRB and BCMR), VA disability appeals, BVA appeals, federal court appeals.
• How to apply: Online intake at nvlsp.org. They prioritize cases involving PTSD, MST, TBI, mental health, and serious systemic issues.
• Cost: Free.
• Locations: National (DC-based, but they work cases nationally).

Swords to Plowshares

swords-to-plowshares.org

Originally founded in 1974 as a Vietnam-era San Francisco veterans organization, S2P has grown into one of the most active national veterans legal services organizations.

• What they take: Discharge upgrades (especially MST and combat-related PTSD), VA disability claims, homeless veterans services, supportive housing.
• How to apply: Phone intake at 1-415-252-4788 or online.
• Cost: Free.
• Locations: SF Bay Area headquarters, but they take cases nationally.

Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC)

ctveteranslegal.org

Highly active in discharge-upgrade work, particularly for MST survivors and recent-era veterans.

• What they take: Discharge upgrades, VA benefits appeals, housing for veterans, family law affecting veterans.
• How to apply: Online intake or 1-203-859-0931.
• Cost: Free.
• Locations: Connecticut-based, but they represent veterans nationally.

Law School Veterans Clinics

Several top law schools run clinics where students, supervised by attorneys, take discharge-upgrade cases pro bono. Caseload is selective and depends on geography or referral.

• Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic — law.yale.edu/studying-law-yale/clinical-and-experiential-learning/our-clinics/veterans-legal-services-clinic
• Harvard Law School Veterans Legal Clinic — hlsclinics.org/our-clinics/veterans-legal-clinic/
• Stanford Veterans Justice Clinic — law.stanford.edu/veterans-justice-clinic/
• William & Mary Law School Lewis B. Puller Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic — Virginia-focused
• University of Texas School of Law Veterans Clinic — Texas-based
• Berkeley Law Veterans Law Practicum
• Many others. Search "[your state] law school veterans clinic" for local options.

These clinics are excellent if your case has policy or systemic implications that interest the faculty. Application is via each clinic's website.

Accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

Free representation from non-attorney accredited representatives. They cannot represent you in federal court, but they handle DRB and BCMR cases routinely and effectively.

• DAV (Disabled American Veterans) — dav.org
• AmVets — amvets.org
• VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) — vfw.org
• MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) — moaa.org
• The American Legion — legion.org
• Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) — vva.org

Find an accredited rep in your area via the VA Office of General Counsel accreditation search.

State and County Veterans Service Offices

Every state has a Department of Veterans Affairs (or equivalent), and most counties have a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) at the county level. They can:

• Help you fill out DD Form 293 (DRB) or DD Form 149 (BCMR)
• Advocate within the state for related benefits
• Refer you to free legal help
• Represent you at the DRB/BCMR if accredited

Find yours via the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers or your state DVA website.

Public Defenders and Legal Aid

Some county public defenders and Legal Aid offices accept veterans cases, particularly when discharge issues intersect with criminal records or housing. Less specialized but available locally.

Specialized Organizations Worth Knowing

• Service Women's Action Network (SWAN) — servicewomen.org — MST and women veterans focus
• Protect Our Defenders — MST advocacy and legal referrals
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) — referrals and advocacy
• Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services — referrals
• VetsFirst — disability-focused, with discharge-upgrade work for service-connected vets

When You Might Actually Need a Paid Lawyer

Most discharge-upgrade cases don't require a paid lawyer. Consider hiring one only when:

• Your case involves complex federal litigation (post-BCMR appeal to federal court)
• You need urgent representation (paid lawyers can move faster than free queues)
• The free options have all declined your case
• The case involves civil claims against the government beyond benefits

If you do hire, look for Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) admitted attorneys — they specialize in this area. Avoid law firms with TV ads promising "fight the VA" — they're usually general practitioners chasing fees.

What to Have Ready When You Contact Any of These

• DD-214 (Member Copy 4)
• A summary of your service and discharge circumstances
• Any medical records you have from in-service or post-service
• Any prior DRB/BCMR decisions if you've applied before
• A timeline of relevant events
• Your contact info and best ways to reach you

The first contact is usually a 15-30 minute screening call. They'll tell you whether they can take the case or refer you elsewhere. Don't be discouraged by a "no" — try the next organization on the list.

Related

• DRB vs BCMR — picking the right track
• Liberal Consideration for PTSD Discharges — Hagel/Kurta/Wilkie memos
• Discharge Upgrade Step-by-Step — full 5-step process