A DD-214 can be corrected after separation, even though the document itself is generally considered final once issued. The DD-215 was not eliminated; it still exists and is the standard form used to add, correct, or delete information on an already-issued DD-214, including missing awards, decorations, and service ribbons. Some personnel or admin offices are simply unfamiliar with post-separation correction procedures because they only handle DD-214s at the point of discharge, not amendments afterward.
To correct a DD-214, you generally need to submit a request to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) or, for some branches, directly to the service's personnel command (for example, the Army uses ARBA/eCase, the Air Force uses AFPC, the Navy and Marine Corps route through their respective personnel commands). The request should include a written explanation of the discrepancy and supporting documentation proving entitlement to the awards, such as orders, award citations, performance evaluations referencing the decoration, or a letter from your command verifying eligibility. Without documentary proof, corrections are unlikely to be approved, since the review is based on what can be verified in your official military personnel file (OMPF), not on personal recollection.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →If the request is approved, you will receive a DD-215, which is legally attached to and read together with your original DD-214. You do not need a new DD-214; the DD-215 serves as the correcting document and should be kept with your DD-214 whenever you present your discharge paperwork for benefits, employment, or state veteran ID purposes.
For VA disability compensation purposes, missing awards or ribbons on the DD-214 rarely affect a claim outright, since eligibility is based on service treatment records, personnel records, and buddy statements rather than the decorations listed. However, certain awards (such as combat-specific decorations) can support presumptive service connection for conditions tied to combat exposure, so having them correctly documented can strengthen certain claims.
The concrete next step is to submit a correction request with supporting evidence to the NPRC or your branch's personnel records office to obtain a DD-215, and keep a copy with your DD-214 for any future VA claims or benefits use.
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