Discharge Upgrades Bring Much-Needed Closure To Nation's Veterans

When a veteran is discharged from the armed forces, they begin the transition to civilian life. However, the type of discharge received can have far-reaching consequences for veterans as the stigma of an "Other Than Honorable" discharge follows veterans throughout their lives and limits the federal benefits they can receive. Proskauer is actively involved in helping veterans upgrade their discharge status, when they have been unfairly denied benefits due to an improper classification.

Recently, Proskauer succeeded in upgrading the status of a Marine who received a Discharge Under Other Than Honorable Conditions after testing positive for marijuana use in 2010. He had been deployed to Afghanistan and, while in combat, witnessed a close friend killed by an improvised explosive device. The Marine would later be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Fearing the social and professional repercussions of seeking professional help for his trauma, he self-medicated