Not all veterans are protected veterans under federal law.
Protected veteran definitions:
- A disabled veteran includes any veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who:
- is entitled to compensation, or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation under laws administered by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, or
- was discharged or released from active duty because of service-connected disability.
- Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran includes any veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service in a war, campaign or expedition in which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
- Recently Separated Veteran includes any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.
- Armed Forces Service Medal Veteran includes any veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United State military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
For more information: Protected Veteran Infographic