The Goal: Fixing the Errors That Cost Sailors and Marines Their Careers

When your record is wrong, everything is at stake: promotions, pay, retirement, VA benefits, and even your honor. Imagine if the mistakes were erased—your discharge upgraded, your medical retirement granted, your awards restored. That’s exactly what the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) was created to do.

At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), we’ve helped countless Sailors and Marines win relief before the BCNR. We are the nation’s leading military record correction lawyers, offering a dual advantage:

  • Insider knowledge. Our attorneys include former JAGs, judges, adjudicators, and federal insiders who know how BCNR cases are decided because they were once on the inside.

  • Veteran perspective. Many of our staff have lived through denials, retaliation, and unjust paperwork themselves. We don’t just know the law—we know the fight.

We are veteran-founded, D.C.-based, and represent clients nationwide. With 100+ years of combined experience, every case sharpened in our Attorney Review Board “war room.” Add in flat-fee pricing, flexible Affirm financing (details here), and 4.9-star Google reviews (see them here), and NSLF is the premier choice for service members fighting errors at the BCNR.

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

What the BCNR Does

The Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) is the highest administrative body for correcting records in the Navy and Marine Corps. Established under 10 U.S.C. § 1552, it has broad authority to fix errors or injustices in military records.

Common Errors the BCNR Corrects

1. Improper Discharge Characterizations

  • Examples: Upgrading Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharges linked to PTSD, TBI, or MST. Changing “Misconduct” discharges to “Secretarial Authority.”

  • Impact: Restores VA benefits, GI Bill eligibility, and civilian job opportunities.

2. Wrong Disability Ratings

  • Examples: Sailors separated with severance pay at 10% who should have been medically retired at 30% or higher.

  • Impact: Retroactive retirement pay, TRICARE coverage, commissary privileges, and retirement credit.

3. Retaliatory or Biased Fitness Reports (FITREPs/OERs)

  • Examples: FITREPs issued after IG or EO complaints that include unfairly negative comments.

  • Impact: Career-stopping evaluations that block promotion boards and leadership billets.

4. Missing or Downgraded Awards and Decorations

  • Examples: Medals downgraded (Bronze Star to Navy Commendation Medal) or awards omitted from DD-214s.

  • Impact: Lost recognition, reduced competitiveness for promotions, missing valor benefits.

5. Errors in Dates of Rank or Promotion Records

  • Examples: DOR entered two years late, preventing promotion consideration.

  • Impact: Lost seniority, reduced lifetime retirement pay, and missed promotion windows.

6. Wrong Separation or RE Codes

  • Examples: Improper codes that block reenlistment or federal employment.

  • Impact: Limits future service options and career opportunities.

7. Incomplete or Incorrect Medical Records

  • Examples: Missing documentation of combat injuries, PTSD diagnoses, or treatment notes.

  • Impact: VA denials, reduced disability ratings, or lost retirement eligibility.

8. Administrative Errors (Names, SSNs, DOBs)

  • Examples: Misspelled names, wrong Social Security numbers, or incorrect dates of birth.

  • Impact: Identity issues, delays with VA claims, or denial of service-connected benefits.

Hypotheticals: BCNR in Action

Case 1 – Retroactive Retirement
Staff Sergeant Lopez (USMC) was separated with 20% for TBI. The VA later rated him 70%. BCNR corrected his record, granting retroactive medical retirement with full TRICARE.

Case 2 – FITREP Expunged
Lieutenant Commander Chen received a retaliatory FITREP after filing an EO complaint. BCNR removed the report, restoring her promotion track.

Case 3 – Award Restored
Petty Officer Ramirez’s Bronze Star was downgraded to a NAM. BCNR reviewed battle reports and upgraded the medal, restoring the honor he earned.

FAQs

How long does BCNR take?
Most cases take 12–18 months, depending on complexity.

Does BCNR award backpay?
Yes. DFAS recalculates entitlements after corrections and issues retroactive payments.

What if I miss the 3-year filing deadline?
The BCNR can waive the deadline “in the interest of justice.”

Can BCNR change a court-martial conviction?
No. BCNR cannot overturn court-martial results.

Additional Resources

Want to go deeper? Our Military Record Correction Lawyer: Complete Guide & Resource Hub is a strategy-packed field manual. Inside you’ll find:

  • Filing strategies for BCNR petitions.

  • Common mistakes that sink DD-149 cases.

  • Sample arguments that win.

  • Real-world case studies from successful corrections.

Think of it as your mission briefing before taking on the BCNR.

Why Choose NSLF

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

  • 100+ years of combined insider knowledge.

  • Attorney Review Board “war room.”

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

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

We don’t just correct records—we restore pay, benefits, and honor.

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

Ready to Correct Errors Through the BCNR?

Every day your record remains wrong is another day of lost pay, blocked promotions, and delayed benefits. Don’t leave your future in the hands of bureaucracy.

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.