Preference and hiring authority are not synonyms

• Veterans’ preference: can affect competitive examining and category placement when statutory criteria are met.
• VRA: a noncompetitive appointment authority for qualifying Veterans, generally through GS-11 or equivalent for covered appointments.
• 30% or more disabled Veteran authority: can support noncompetitive appointment without the VRA grade ceiling.
• VEOA: permits qualifying Veterans/preference eligibles to compete for certain merit-promotion vacancies; it does not itself apply veterans’ preference to the internal-action competition.

Documentation file

• DD-214 or other acceptable discharge/service documentation
• VA disability rating/letter when relevant
• SF-15 and required supporting documentation for qualifying 10-point preference claims
• Federal résumé tailored to the vacancy
• Transcripts/licenses/certificates where required
• Job announcement and eligibility/hiring-authority section
• Application receipt and referral/non-referral notices

Claim every hiring authority or preference category for which you are eligible; do not assume that selecting “Veteran” in a profile establishes the statutory documentation required by a particular announcement.

Official sources

• OPM — Veteran Job Seekers
• OPM — SF-15
• OPM — Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans

Source status: SRC-133; SRC-134 verified October 4, 2026. Use the current decision, policy, and form instructions for the individual case.