SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference

What is SF 15?

Who needs to file SF 15?

When to file SF 15

Documents you need

• Document A, documentation of service and separation: an official document or statement from the Armed Forces showing honorable or general discharge, such as a DD-214, retirement or separation orders, or documents showing transfer to a reserve corps. Required for items 5, 6, 8 and for a deceased veteran under item 9.
• Alternative to a discharge document under A: a written certification from the armed forces that the service member is expected to be discharged under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the certification is signed, or an official statement from a military personnel records center.
• Document B, for item 5: an official statement dated 1991 or later from the DVA or an Armed Forces branch certifying a service-connected disability of less than 10%; an official Purple Heart citation, document or discharge certificate; or a DVA statement dated 1991 or later that the veteran receives a nonservice-connected disability pension.
• Document C, for items 6, 7 and a disabled veteran under item 9: an official document dated 1991 or later from the DVA or Armed Forces certifying a service-connected disability of 10% or more, or retired orders showing disability retirement or transfer to a Disability Retirement List at 10% or more.
• Document C statement for spouses and mothers of disabled veterans: an official statement dated 1991 or later from the DVA or Armed Forces certifying the disability exists, its percentage and nature (including the combined percentage), and whether it is rated permanent and total.
• Document D, for item 8 and a deceased veteran under item 9: a certified copy of the death certificate if death occurred while not on active military duty. If the veteran died on active duty, the family receives a DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty, and service is presumed under honorable conditions unless the service indicates otherwise.
• Document E, for item 8 and a deceased veteran under item 9: documentation of service or death during a war, during a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized, or during April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955.
• Document F, for item 9: a statement from the husband's physician showing the prognosis of his disease and the percentage of his disability, for a mother claiming because of her husband's total and permanent disability.
• Document G, for item 8 only when it applies: certification from the DVA that entitlement to pension or compensation was restored due to annulment, or a certified copy of the court decree of annulment.
• Document H, for items 7 and 9 (disabled veteran): the answers to questions 1 to 7 on page 2 about the veteran's inability to work because of a service-connected disability, including documentation of any resignation, disqualification or separation if question 6 is Yes.

How to fill out SF 15

1. 1

   Enter your name

   In item 1, write your name as Last, First, Middle. This is the person applying for preference, which may be the veteran or a relative.

2. 2

   Enter your home address

   In item 2, enter your street number, city, state and ZIP code.

3. 3

   Enter the veteran's name

   In item 3, write the veteran's name (Last, First, Middle) exactly as it appears on the Service Records. The person applying provides this information.

4. 4

   List the periods of service

   In item 4, enter the branch of service, the date the veteran entered active duty and the date separated or released from active duty, if applicable.

5. 5

   Check your preference claim

   Check the one block in items 5 to 9 that matches your claim. The arrow at the end of each block shows which documents, A through H, you need.

6. 6

   Answer the questions in your block

   Items 7, 8 and 9 have Yes/No questions, such as whether you are currently married to the veteran (item 7a) or ever remarried (item 8b). The form states which answers mean you are not eligible.

7. 7

   Complete section H if it applies

   For item 7, or item 9 for a disabled veteran, answer questions 1 to 7 on page 2 about the veteran's work, occupations, federal employment and civil service retirement pension. Add the CSA number if question 7 is Yes.

8. 8

   Gather the required documentation

   Using the letters beside your block, collect photocopies of the matching documents from page 2, including VA or Armed Forces statements dated 1991 or later where required.

9. 9

   Review and download the completed PDF

   Check that the names match the service records, that only one block is checked and that every part that applies is filled. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then assemble it with your photocopies as described under How to submit.

How to submit SF 15

Common mistakes to avoid

• Mailing original documents; page 2 says to submit photocopies because the documents will not be returned.
• Checking more than one claim block, or the wrong one, instead of the single block that matches your claim (items 5 to 9).
• Entering the veteran's name differently from the service records; item 3 asks for it exactly as it appears on the Service Records.
• Claiming item 8 as a widow or widower after remarriage; the form says that answering Yes to remarriage means you are not eligible, and annulments are not counted.
• Claiming item 7 when you are not currently married to the veteran; the form states you are not eligible if the answer is No.
• Submitting a DVA or Armed Forces disability statement dated before 1991; the documents for items 5 and 6 must be dated 1991 or later.
• Leaving out Document G when a remarriage was annulled; the form says to submit G when applicable.
• Skipping the section H questions on page 2 for an item 7 claim or an item 9 claim based on a disabled veteran.
• Leaving parts of the form blank; the Privacy Act statement says failing to provide any part of the information may result in a ruling that you are not eligible.