LOS ANGELES (July 2026) —U.S. Army veteran Matthew Lawson describes the outcome of his Character of Discharge upgrade in two words: “life changing.”
After more than two decades without access to the VA benefits he earned through his military service, Lawson worked with the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) to navigate the Character of Discharge review process. The favorable outcome opened the door to homeownership, healthcare, education benefits for his children, and renewed hope for his family’s future.
For years, Lawson struggled to obtain his military records and access the benefits he had earned. Without the documentation needed to move forward, he found himself unable to use VA programs that could help support his family and improve their quality of life.
“It’s been one of the hardest things to deal with, trying to get my DD214 and trying to get the VA paperwork done for a home loan,” Lawson said.
Motivated by the dream of homeownership, Lawson and his wife decided it was time to seek help after years of renting and moving from place to place.
“My wife and I have been renting for a long time, and we were tired of moving,” Lawson said. “In four years, we moved three times. It took a real hard financial toll on us.”
Through the Character of Discharge review process, MVA worked alongside Lawson to identify a path forward and help him regain access to the benefits he had earned through his service. Kenneth Gonzales Jr., Veteran Services Supervisor, MVA, worked closely with Lawson throughout the process, maintaining regular communication and guiding him each step of the way.
“It was actually very easy, and they had been in contact constantly. I didn’t even have to call them. They were fantastic. One hundred percent. The support was great,” Lawson said about his experience with MVA.
Within 30 days, Lawson received a favorable Character of Discharge upgrade and was awarded a 50% service-connected disability rating restoring access to benefits that had been unavailable to him for more than two decades. When Gonzales called to share the news that Lawson was eligible for a VA-backed home loan, his family’s future changed overnight. Just weeks later, Lawson and his wife purchased their first home.
“I was ecstatic,” Lawson said. “I called my wife, and we celebrated that evening. We went to dinner. It’s just been life changing.”
While every veteran’s journey is unique, Gonzales said this case demonstrates the importance of looking beyond paperwork to understand each veteran’s circumstances.
“Our work is not just about processing paperwork. It’s about looking deeper, advocating fiercely, and ensuring every veteran receives the benefits and dignity they earned through their service,” Gonzales said.
For Lawson, the greatest impact extends beyond homeownership. It has given his family the ability to plan in ways they couldn’t before.
“We feel more stable now,” Lawson said. “We’re not constantly worried about our kids having to change schools.”
The upgrade also allowed Lawson to begin accessing VA healthcare and pursue medical care he had postponed for years because he was ineligible for VA services.
“Now I’m going to see the VA doctor and get everything worked out, medical, physical, and mental,” Lawson said. “That’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
For Gonzales, helping veterans reconnect with the benefits they’ve earned is about creating opportunities for long-term stability.
“This result did more than provide a disability rating. It fundamentally altered the trajectory of the veteran’s life,” Gonzales said.
Looking back on his journey, Lawson hopes other veterans who may be facing similar obstacles will continue seeking the benefits they earned through their service.
“Don’t give up. Try not to lose hope,” Lawson said. “Sometimes there can be a little red tape involved, but stick with it, and hopefully everything will work out in the end.”
Reconnect With Earned Benefits
If your discharge status has created barriers to VA benefits, MVA may be able to help. Veterans Services Officers provide guidance on Character of Discharge reviews, discharge upgrades, and other benefit eligibility questions. Learn more by visiting https://mva.lacounty.gov/contact-us/ or calling (877) 452-8387.
Story by Layla Romero, Public Information Staff Assistant, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Photos courtesy of U.S. Army veteran Matthew Lawson
