33 CFR § 51.6 - Propriety standard of review.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s51.6"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 51.6 - Propriety standard of review."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "51.6"
section_name: "Propriety standard of review."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "PERSONNEL"
part_number: "51"
part_name: "COAST GUARD DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "10 U.S.C. 1553; 14 U.S.C. 501, 503; Department of Homeland Security Delegations No. 0160.1(II)(B)(1), 0170.1(II)(23)."
regulatory_source: "CGD 81-104, 50 FR 41495, Oct. 11, 1985, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "51"
---


# 51.6 Propriety standard of review.

A discharge is deemed to be proper except that:

(a) A discharge may be improper if an error of fact, law, procedure, or discretion was associated with the discharge at the time of issuance which prejudiced the rights of the applicant.

(b) A discharge may be improper if there has been a change in policy by the Coast Guard made expressly retroactive to the type of discharge under consideration.