VA Disability Rating and Federal Hiring Preference: What Actually Helps
How VA disability ratings translate to veterans' preference points on USAJOBS — and which categories give you the biggest hiring advantage.
A VA disability rating of 30% or higher qualifies you for the strongest form of federal hiring preference — the 30% or more disabled veteran (CPS) authority, which lets agencies hire you non-competitively.
The 3 preference categories
- TP (Tentative Preference): 5 points, honorable discharge.
- CP (Compensable): 10 points, VA rating 10–29%.
- CPS (Compensable, Special): 10 points, VA rating 30%+.
- XP: 10 points for Purple Heart or spouse of certain disabled vets.
What "30% or more" actually unlocks
- Non-competitive hiring authority — hiring managers can select you directly.
- Higher position on the certificate of eligibles.
- Priority for Schedule A appointments.
What you must submit with every application
- DD-214 Member 4 copy.
- SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference).
- VA disability letter dated within the last 12 months.
The mistake to avoid
Uploading a redacted or expired VA letter — HR specialists will not count it and you'll lose the preference on that application.
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