Factors described in the DC Personnel Regulations 703 Veterans Preference determine a person's eligibility to receive veteran benefits. These terms are defined below.

Per section 703.1, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed:

Term	Description
Armed forces	United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard
Disabled Veteran	An eligible veteran, as defined in this subsection, who has established a service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension because of a public law administered by the Veterans Administration or a military department.
Disabled Vietnam Veteran	A Vietnam veteran, as defined in this subsection, who has established a service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension because of a public law administered by the Veterans Administration or a military department.
Discharge Under Honorable Conditions	Either an honorable or general discharge from the armed forces. It does not apply to an honorable discharge given an enlisted person to allow commissioning as an officer without a break in service, and does not apply to an amnesty or clemency discharge.
Eligible Spouse	The legal husband or wife (including by common law marriage if valid under the laws of the place where the parties lived at the time of the marriage) of a "disabled veteran," a "disabled Vietnam veteran," or a "30 percent disabled veteran," all as defined in this subsection, provided such veteran is disqualified, by reason of his or her service-connected disability, for appointment to a federal civil service or District government position along the general lines of his or her usual occupation.
Eligible Survivor	A person who was married to a veteran, as defined in this subsection, at the time of such veteran's death, and who has not subsequently remarried, unless such remarriage has been annulled, provided that such veteran's service in the armed forces was during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or included any portion of the period from April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955, and that such veteran either: (a) Separated from the armed forces with an honorable or general discharge; or (b) Died while on active duty under conditions that would not have been cause for separation with other than an honorable or general discharge.
Eligible Veteran	A veteran, as defined in this subsection, whose service in the armed forces was for more than 180 consecutive days, beginning on or before October 14, 1976, or, if in time of war, beginning on or after October 15, 1976, and who was separated with an honorable or general discharge.
Preference Eligible	A person who has been granted preference eligibility pursuant to § 703.7 below, or a person, other than one excluded by § 703.2 below, who is one of the following (all as defined in this subsection): (a) A disabled veteran; (b) A disabled Vietnam veteran; (c) An eligible spouse; (d) An eligible survivor; (e) An eligible veteran; (f) A 30 percent disabled veteran; or (g) A Vietnam veteran.
Thirty Percent (30%) Disabled Veteran	A disabled veteran or a disabled Vietnam veteran, both as defined in this subsection, with a classification from the Veterans Administration as being 30 percent or more disabled.
Veteran	A person who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, exclusive of active duty for training as a member of the Army or Air National Guard, or as a Reserve for service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, or Coast Guard Reserve.
Vietnam Veteran	A veteran, as defined in this subsection, whose service in the armed forces was for more than 180 consecutive days, or included service in an area for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or included any portion of the period from August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975, and who was separated with a discharge of other than dishonorable.