Any advise on getting my re-4 oth Navy discharge upgraded?

I'm in the process right now. I wrote my congressman and filed an ap. for upgrade through him about 6 weeks ago. I'm currently waiting on an answer from NDRB. I know that it can take 6 or 7 months to get a verdict, and if they turn it down, I can go in for a personal hearing with the review board. Has anyone out there ever been through this? Any advice on how to make it successful?