The Goal: Winning Your BCNR Petition and Restoring What You’ve Lost

If you’re filing with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), you’re likely fighting for high-stakes relief: an upgrade to an Other Than Honorable discharge, a correction to your disability rating, reinstatement of rank, backpay, or even a retroactive medical retirement with TRICARE for life. Imagine walking away with your record corrected, your benefits restored, and your legacy finally reflecting your true service.

That’s exactly what the BCNR was created for—and exactly what National Security Law Firm (NSLF) helps service members and veterans achieve.

We are the nation’s premier military record correction lawyers, offering a dual advantage:

  • Insider expertise. Our team includes former JAGs, judges, adjudicators, and federal insiders who once decided these cases. We know how the BCNR operates and what arguments succeed.

  • Veteran perspective. Many of our attorneys and staff are veterans who’ve faced denials, retaliation, and injustice firsthand. We don’t just know the system—we’ve lived it.

We are veteran-founded, D.C.-based, and represent clients nationwide. With 100+ years of combined experience, every petition refined in our Attorney Review Board “war room,” and proof points like 4.9-star Google reviews (read them here), flat-fee pricing, and flexible Affirm financing (details here), NSLF is the trusted, mission-ready firm for BCNR cases.

The National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.

What Is the BCNR?

The Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) is the Navy and Marine Corps’ highest administrative authority for correcting military records. Established under 10 U.S.C. § 1552, the BCNR can correct any Navy or Marine Corps record when there is evidence of error or injustice.

BCNR Has Authority To:

  • Upgrade discharges beyond the 15-year Discharge Review Board (NDRB) limit.

  • Correct or remove unjust FITREPs, OERs, and counseling entries.

  • Fix disability ratings, including retroactive medical retirements.

  • Restore lost pay, allowances, or retirement credits.

  • Correct separation and reenlistment (RE) codes.

  • Reinstate downgraded awards or missing decorations.

  • Correct dates of rank or promotions.

Official BCNR form (DD-149): Download Here

Official BCNR site: Board for Correction of Naval Records

Why BCNR Corrections Matter

Errors in naval or Marine Corps records don’t just live on paper—they ripple through a veteran’s entire life:

  • Lost Benefits: A misapplied disability rating can mean severance instead of lifetime retirement pay and TRICARE.

  • Career Harm: Retaliatory FITREPs can kill promotion potential.

  • Reduced Retirement: An incorrect date of rank may shrink retirement checks for decades.

  • Blocked Opportunities: A bad RE code can prevent reenlistment or federal employment.

  • Tarnished Reputation: A less-than-honorable discharge can follow you in civilian life.

Step-by-Step: Filing a BCNR Petition

Step 1: Identify the Error or Injustice

Ask: is your case about a procedural error (the Navy/USMC didn’t follow the rules) or an injustice (the outcome was technically correct but unfair)?

Step 2: Collect Your Evidence

  • Service records (orders, evaluations, NJP/Article 15 paperwork).

  • Medical files and VA ratings.

  • Civilian medical or psychological evaluations (especially for PTSD, TBI, or MST).

  • Sworn witness statements.

  • Post-service conduct evidence: education, employment, volunteer work.

Step 3: Complete DD Form 149

  • Clearly state what you want corrected.

  • Identify the legal/procedural basis (error or injustice).

  • Attach exhibits and reference them in your narrative.

Step 4: Submit Your Packet

Mail or electronically submit DD-149 and your evidence to the BCNR. Always keep proof of delivery.

Step 5: Await Advisory Opinions

Your case may be routed for advisory opinions from Navy staff or medical/legal experts. These can be influential, and you’ll often have a chance to rebut them.

Step 6: Board Decision

  • Granted: BCNR issues corrections; DFAS recalculates backpay or retirement.

  • Denied: You may refile with new evidence or escalate to federal court.

Timeline for BCNR Cases

  • Acknowledgment: 30–60 days after filing.

  • Advisory Opinions: 3–6 months.

  • Board Review: 9–12 months.

  • Final Decision: Typically 12–18 months total.

Success Rates

Overall approval rates hover around 10–20% full relief and another 10–20% partial relief. Most denials stem from:

  • Weak evidence.

  • Vague requests.

  • Missed deadlines without explanation.

  • Poorly framed arguments.

With strong legal framing and documentary evidence, your odds rise significantly.

Hypotheticals: BCNR in Action

Case 1 – Retroactive Retirement
Gunnery Sergeant Ramirez was separated with 20% for PTSD. The VA later rated him 70%. BCNR corrected his record, awarding retroactive medical retirement and TRICARE.

Case 2 – Promotion Date Error
Lieutenant Harris’s DOR was entered two years late, costing him seniority. BCNR fixed the date and awarded backpay.

Case 3 – Retaliatory FITREP Removed
Ensign Cole filed an IG complaint and later received a damning FITREP. BCNR removed the evaluation, restoring promotion eligibility.

Common Mistakes in BCNR Cases

  • Filing without attaching supporting evidence.

  • Requesting vague relief (“fix my records”).

  • Missing the 3-year deadline without a waiver request.

  • Submitting long emotional narratives without legal framing.

  • Filing with the wrong board (e.g., NDRB instead of BCNR).

(Related: see our guide on Common Mistakes on DD Form 149).

FAQs

How long does the BCNR take?
Typically 12–18 months.

Can the BCNR award backpay?
Yes, DFAS recalculates and issues retroactive payments when records are corrected.

Can BCNR correct medical retirements?
Yes, the BCNR has authority to retroactively place veterans on the Disability Retired List.

Is there a deadline?
Yes, 3 years from discovering the error. But boards often waive it “in the interest of justice.”

Additional Resources

For a full playbook on corrections, see our Military Record Correction Lawyer: Complete Guide & Resource Hub.

This is your field manual for BCNR and other boards. Inside you’ll find:

  • Step-by-step filing strategies.

  • Sample arguments that win.

  • Mistakes to avoid.

  • Real-world case studies.

Why Choose NSLF

  • Veteran-founded, D.C.-based, nationwide representation.

  • 100+ years of combined insider experience.

  • Attorney Review Board “war room.”

  • Flat-fee pricing with Affirm financing (see details).

  • 4.9-star Google reviews (read them here).

We don’t just file DD-149s—we fight relentlessly to restore pay, benefits, and honor.

Ready to File With the BCNR?

Every day your record remains wrong is another day of lost pay, delayed benefits, and blocked promotions. Don’t risk your future with a weak petition.

Book your free consultation online—it’s quick, easy, and confidential: Schedule Now.

The National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.