Veterans Claims Examiner

The Veterans Claims Examiner (VCE) is the trainee for the VCE Series. In this grade, the VCE becomes familiar with the range of claims, regulations and develops a process for the independent adjudication of claims. He/she will be formally trained to perform core duties assigned to a team. They will adjudicate claims for education benefits increasingly difficult issues as they prepare for the eventual adjudication of the full gamut of education claims.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:09/07/2026. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements (unless if in the commuting area and eligible for a non-competitive hiring authority such as Schedule A, VRA, or 30% or more disabled Veterans). For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level.

For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. If you are a current VBA employee outside of the commuting area seeking reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS-07 (or higher) and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

SF-50(s) that shows your time-in-grade eligibility and that demonstrate that the required grade has been held for at least 1 year must be submitted with your application materials. These requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and those applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience is defined as: Experience reading, interpreting and applying laws, regulations, directives, manuals or training materials; AND Experience developing information and evaluating evidence to determine a decision. Education Substitution: 1 full year of graduate level education, or Bachelor's or equivalent degree with superior academic achievement.

Superior academic achievement is defined as 1 (or more) of the following: graduating in the upper 1/3 of the class; membership in a national honor society; earning an undergrad GPA of 2.95 (on a 4.0 scale) in the final 2 undergrad years completed; earning an overall undergrad GPA of 2.95; earning an undergrad GPA of 3.45 in the major during the final 2 undergrad years completed; earning an overall undergrad GPA of 3.45 in the major.

GS-09 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-7) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized Experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Specialized experience is defined as: Interpreting regulations and applying laws required to evaluate and recommend determinations of eligibility; Evaluate and develop evidence to make eligibility determinations regarding educational benefits, in order to complete claims under delegated authority; AND Communicate effectively in person, via phone, or electronically to explain education program benefit entitlements and requirements all stakeholders.

Education Substitution: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary with occasional walking and bending.

Work requires lengthy periods viewing video display terminals and extensive use of computer keyboarding. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.