Air Force to Review Discharges of Veterans who Suffered Mental Health Issues or Sexual Trauma

The US Air Force agreed today to re-review the less-than-honorable discharges received by thousands of veterans because of mental health issues or sexual trauma experienced during their service.   

Under the terms of the settlement, the Air Force Discharge Review Board (AFDRB) will reconsider its adverse decisions to ensure that it properly applies the applicabl legal standards and liberally considers veterans’ claims of mental health issues or sexual trauma when deciding whether to upgrade veterans’ discharge statuses.  

This decision will have dramatic impact upon affected veterans. According to an article by the Air Force Times, “Other-than-honorable discharges bar veterans from receiving benefits like Department of Veteran Affairs-run medical care, home loans and tuition assistance, and can hurt their chances of finding a civilian job. The settlement gives troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan a path to claim the full slate of post-service government benefits after being shut out of the VA system.” 

This is the third victory in a string of similar class action cases Jenner has litigated, with the first two against the Army and Navy. Each branch agreed to significant policy changes to settle the claims. These cases were done on a pro bono basis in partnership with the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School. 

Partners Jacob Tracer and Susan Kohlmann represent the veterans. Former associate Laurel Raymond also worked on this matter. 

 

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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Air Force to Review Discharges of Veterans who Suffered Mental Health Issues or Sexual Trauma

The US Air Force agreed today to re-review the less-than-honorable discharges received by thousands of veterans because of mental health issues or sexual trauma experienced during their service.   

Under the terms of the settlement, the Air Force Discharge Review Board (AFDRB) will reconsider its adverse decisions to ensure that it properly applies the applicabl legal standards and liberally considers veterans’ claims of mental health issues or sexual trauma when deciding whether to upgrade veterans’ discharge statuses.  

This decision will have dramatic impact upon affected veterans. According to an article by the Air Force Times, “Other-than-honorable discharges bar veterans from receiving benefits like Department of Veteran Affairs-run medical care, home loans and tuition assistance, and can hurt their chances of finding a civilian job. The settlement gives troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan a path to claim the full slate of post-service government benefits after being shut out of the VA system.” 

This is the third victory in a string of similar class action cases Jenner has litigated, with the first two against the Army and Navy. Each branch agreed to significant policy changes to settle the claims. These cases were done on a pro bono basis in partnership with the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School. 

Partners Jacob Tracer and Susan Kohlmann represent the veterans. Former associate Laurel Raymond also worked on this matter. 

 

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

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