pursuant to Public Law 111–321 ( 10 U.S.C. 654 note). 3. Relief for impacted former members (a) Review of discharge (1) In general The Secretary of Defense shall review and update existing guidance to ensure that the appropriate discharge board for the military departments concerned shall review a discharge characterization of the covered member as required under section 527 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 at the request of a covered member, or their representative, notwithstanding any requirements to provide documentation necessary to initiate a review of a discharge characterization. (2) Exception The appropriate discharge board for the military departments concerned shall not be required to initiate a request for a review of a discharge as described in paragraph (1) if there is evidence available to the discharge board that is unrelated to the material request of the covered member or the representative of the covered member but that would have reasonably substantiated the discharge decision of the military department. (b) Veterans benefits (1) Effective date of change of characterization for veterans benefits For purposes of the provision of benefits to which veterans are entitled under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to a covered member whose discharge characterization is changed pursuant to section 527 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 ( Public Law 116–92