What is a Protected Veteran?
Disabled Veterans:
(a) a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service 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 Veterans Affairs; or (b) a person discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
Recently Separated Veterans:
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.
Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veterans:
A veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
Armed Forces Service Medal Veterans:
A veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to the Executive Order 12985.