Carnegie Mellon University

Definitions of Disability/Veteran's Status

Please see the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) for more information.

  • Individual with a Disability
    (i) A person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities;
    (ii) A person who has a record of such an impairment; or
    (iii) A person who is regarded as having such an impairment.
  • Vietnam Era Veteran
    (i) A person who served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released therefrom with other than a dishonorable discharge, if any part of such active duty occurred in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975, or between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975, in all other cases, or
    (ii) A person who was discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability of any part of such active duty was performed in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975; or between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975, in all other cases.
  • Disabled Veteran
    (i) A 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 Veterans Affairs, or
    (ii) A person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • Special Disabled Veteran
    (i) A veteran entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under the laws administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs for disability who is rated at 30 percent or more or who is rated at 10 or 20 percent in the case of a veteran who has been determined under Section 3106 of Title 38, U.S.C. to have a serious employment handicap or
    (ii) A person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • One-Year Recently Separated Veteran
    Any veteran during the one-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.
  • Three-Year Recently Separated Veteran
    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
    Any 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 Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209).
  • Other Protected Veteran
    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.