Veteran of the Vietnam era means a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service, any part of whose service was during the period August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975, who (1) served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released with other than a dishonorable discharge, or (2) was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. “Vietnam era veteran” also includes any veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service who served in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.

Special disabled veteran means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service and (1) who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability, or (2) who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) for certain disabilities under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (i.e., disabilities rated at 30 percent or more, or at 10 or 20 percent if the veteran has been determined to have a serious employment handicap).

Recently separated veteran means any veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service during the one year period beginning on the date of such veteran’s discharge or release from active duty.

Other protected veteran means any other 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, other than a disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, or recently separated veteran. To see a current list of campaigns or expeditions covered by this definition please visit: http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vgmedal2.asp

Send questions or comments to larry.hamilton@unlv.edu. Last updated Thursday, 11-Jan-2007 14:13:47 PST