I suppose there are regulations on that. “Sometimes” paperwork doesn’t get done properly.
I’m not telling you to do this. But you could have “forgot” the later 214 and submitted the early 214?
For my part, if my dad had got a dishonorable discharge 70 years ago, maybe he deserved it? It was almost routine for people in those days to lose a stripe or two along the way, before they made Sergeant. A Dishonorable discharge, on the other hand, even then, that took some serious dedication.
Finally, I didn’t know VA benefits were available to spouses (unless he retired after 20 years service?) Anyway, I wish you luck, I guess. Unless there is very specific detailed evidence of wrongdoing on the Army’s part, I can’t imagine anyone would reverse the “Characterization of Discharge” as it is termed.
I had a “break in service”, got an Honorable, but the 214 now has an “RE” code, some alphanumeric or letter designation. I axed the recruiter, what does that code mean? He wouldn’t tell me. I did successfully integrate back into the military, must not have been too bad.
I just got an email from my representative and his office already submitted the inquiry. So we'll see what happens.