When you see "protected veteran" on a job application, it refers to a specific legal status defined under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). Protected veterans are entitled to affirmative action protections when applying to federal contractors and subcontractors — meaning those employers must take positive steps to hire and promote them. Not every veteran qualifies as a protected veteran under the law, and understanding the four categories can help you know your rights, complete job applications accurately, and — if you also have a service-connected disability — access VA benefits you may not be using.
What Is VEVRAA?
VEVRAA — the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended by the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002 — is a federal law that requires employers with federal contracts of $150,000 or more to:
- Take affirmative action to hire, promote, and retain protected veterans
- List job openings with state employment agencies so veterans have access to them
- Track and report their hiring of veterans to the Department of Labor
VEVRAA is enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), part of the Department of Labor. If you believe a federal contractor discriminated against you because of your veteran status, you can file a complaint with the OFCCP at dol.gov/agencies/ofccp.
VEVRAA applies to federal contractors — not all employers. Private companies that have no federal contracts are not covered.
The Four Categories of Protected Veterans
To be a protected veteran under VEVRAA, you must fall into at least one of these four categories:
1. Disabled Veteran
You qualify as a disabled veteran under VEVRAA if you:
- Have been found eligible for VA disability compensation for any service-connected disability (at any rating — even 0%), OR
- Were discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability
This is separate from — but often overlaps with — the Section 503 definition (see below). A disabled veteran is always a protected veteran under VEVRAA.
2. Recently Separated Veteran
You are a recently separated veteran during the three-year period after discharge or release from active duty. For example, if you were honorably discharged in May 2024, you are a recently separated veteran through May 2027. After those three years, you are no longer in this category (though you may still qualify under another category).
3. Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran
You qualify if you served on active duty during a war declared by Congress, OR if you served during a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or service medal was authorized by the Department of Defense. Common examples include:
- Gulf War service (Southwest Asia Service Medal)
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
4. Armed Forces Service Medal Veteran
You qualify if you were awarded an Armed Forces Service Medal while on active duty for participation in a military operation. This medal is awarded for operations that are not conflicts or campaigns — for example, humanitarian operations or certain peacekeeping missions. Common examples include the Armed Forces Service Medal awarded for operations like Joint Guardian (Kosovo), Unified Assistance (tsunami relief), and others.
| Category | Who It Covers | How Long It Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Disabled veteran | Any service-connected disability (any rating) | Permanent |
| Recently separated veteran | Discharged within the past 3 years | 3 years from discharge |
| Active duty wartime / campaign badge | Served during a war or received a campaign badge | Permanent |
| Armed Forces service medal | Received an AFSM for a military operation | Permanent |
Not All Veterans Are Protected Veterans
This is an important distinction. "Veteran" and "protected veteran" are not the same thing under the law. A veteran who served honorably but does not fall into any of the four categories above — for example, a veteran who separated more than three years ago, has no service-connected disability, served during peacetime, and did not receive a qualifying medal — is not a protected veteran for VEVRAA purposes.
However, many veterans do fall into at least one category. If you served during any of the conflicts listed above, received any campaign medal, or have a service-connected disability at any rating, you are likely covered.
Self-Identification on Job Applications
Federal contractors are required to invite applicants and employees to voluntarily self-identify as protected veterans. You will typically see this on a separate form during the application process, often asking you to check one or more of the four categories.
Key points about self-identification:
- It is voluntary. You are never required to self-identify as a protected veteran.
- It cannot be used against you. A federal contractor cannot reject your application because you identified as a protected veteran. That would be a VEVRAA violation.
- It helps employers meet reporting requirements and can trigger outreach to ensure you are considered for roles.
- You may update your self-identification at any time — for example, when you move from "recently separated" to another category.
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act — Additional Protections for Disabled Veterans
VEVRAA is not the only federal law protecting veterans in employment. Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides separate but related protections specifically for individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, who work for federal contractors.
Under Section 503:
- Federal contractors must take affirmative action to hire and advance individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans)
- Federal contractors must provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities
- The OFCCP enforces Section 503 as well as VEVRAA
If you have a service-connected disability, you may be protected under both VEVRAA and Section 503 simultaneously.
What Rights Does Protected Veteran Status Give You?
Being a protected veteran entitles you to:
- Affirmative action — the employer must make active efforts to include protected veterans in their candidate pool and workforce
- Non-discrimination — the employer cannot take adverse action against you because of your veteran status
- Access to job listings — federal contractors must list job openings with state workforce agencies to ensure veterans can find them
- The right to file a complaint — if a federal contractor violates VEVRAA, you can file a complaint with the OFCCP
Protected veteran status does not guarantee you a job offer, require employers to hire less-qualified veterans over more-qualified non-veterans, or apply to employers without federal contracts.
If You Have a Service-Connected Disability — Check Your VA Benefits
Many veterans who qualify as "disabled veterans" under VEVRAA have a VA disability rating but may not be receiving the full compensation they are owed. If your conditions have worsened, or if the VA missed a condition when rating your claim, you may be entitled to a higher monthly payment.
Use our free VA disability rating calculator to estimate your combined disability rating based on all your service-connected conditions. If you have not yet filed a claim, visit our guide on how to file a VA disability claim — benefits generally start from the date you file, not the date of the VA's decision.
How to File a VEVRAA Complaint
- Go to dol.gov/agencies/ofccp and navigate to the complaint filing section.
- Provide information about the employer (name, address, whether they hold a federal contract), your veteran status category, and the alleged violation.
- The OFCCP will investigate and, if a violation is found, can require the contractor to take corrective action including back pay, hiring, or promotion.
- There is no fee to file a VEVRAA complaint.
Bottom Line
A protected veteran is a veteran who falls into at least one of four legally defined categories under VEVRAA: disabled veteran, recently separated veteran (within 3 years), active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, or Armed Forces service medal veteran. Federal contractors with contracts of $150,000 or more must take affirmative action to hire and promote protected veterans and cannot discriminate based on veteran status.
If you are also a disabled veteran — meaning you have any service-connected disability — you may be eligible for VA disability compensation that you have not yet claimed or that may be higher than your current rating. Take two minutes to check with our free VA disability rating calculator, or go directly to our step-by-step guide on filing a VA claim.