Home / Federal careers / GS-0996
Veterans Claims Examiner
Performs veterans claims work including benefit determination, claim adjudication, and veteran assistance.
What GS-0996 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0996, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- GS-5: 4-year course of study leading to bachelor's degree
- GS-7: 1 year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement
OR
Experience: General experience in work involving analysis of information, application of laws and regulations, and decision-making on claims or benefits.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
This is a two-grade interval series. Positions follow the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 progression pattern.
| Grade | Education | Experience | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree in any field from accredited college/university | 3 years progressively responsible experience, 1 year equivalent to GS-4 | Equivalent combinations qualifying |
| GS-7 | 1 full year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 | Combinations of graduate education and experience |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-7 requirement) and experience |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-9 requirement) and experience |
| GS-12+ | Not applicable | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade | N/A |
Superior Academic Achievement (for GS-7):
- Upper third of graduating class in college/university or major subdivision
- GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on official transcript, OR 3.5 or higher in major field
- Election to membership in national scholastic honor society
Graduate Education: One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours the school determines represents 1 year of full-time study. If unavailable, 18 semester hours satisfies the 1-year requirement.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0996
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Yeoman
Yeomen manage administrative tasks including personnel records, providing a foundation for claims processing and veteran assistance.
Skills that carry over: Regulatory Knowledge, Decision Writing, Customer Service.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Administrative Specialist
Administrative Specialists handle personnel records and benefits, similar to the tasks of a Veterans Claims Examiner.
Skills that carry over: Claims Adjudication, Regulatory Knowledge, Customer Service.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Yeoman
Coast Guard Yeomen manage personnel records and benefits, providing relevant experience for claims examination.
Skills that carry over: Regulatory Knowledge, Decision Writing, Customer Service.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Evaluate veteran benefit claims
- Determine eligibility
- Adjudicate claims
- Communicate decisions
- Assist veterans with applications
- Apply laws and regulations
Key competencies
Claims Adjudication
Ability to analyze and decide veterans benefit claims.
Medical Record Analysis
Skill in reviewing and interpreting medical evidence.
Regulatory Knowledge
Understanding of VA laws, regulations, and rating criteria.
Decision Writing
Ability to prepare clear, well-reasoned rating decisions.
Customer Service
Skill in communicating with veterans and their representatives.
Case Management
Ability to manage caseloads and meet processing goals.
Attention to Detail
Skill in reviewing evidence and ensuring accurate decisions.
Research Skills
Ability to research precedents and policy guidance.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0996
What is a Veterans Claims Examiner?
GS-0996 Veterans Claims Examiners evaluate and adjudicate veteran benefit claims at VA. They review medical evidence, determine eligibility for disability compensation, pension, and other benefits, and communicate decisions to veterans. They're the frontline of VA benefits delivery.
How much does a federal Veterans Claims Examiner make?
GS-0996 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-12 ($75,706-$98,422) for senior rating specialists. Most positions are GS-9 to GS-11 ($52,205-$82,108). Decision Review Officers reach GS-12. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0996 positions?
At GS-5, you need a bachelor's degree or 3 years of general experience. Higher grades require specialized claims adjudication experience. Ability to analyze medical records, apply VA regulations, and write clear decisions is essential. Training provided through VA's extensive program.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0996?
Yes, and it's highly valuable here. Your military service gives you firsthand understanding of military culture, injuries, and conditions veterans face. Medical, personnel, and administrative experience all translate. Veterans are ideal candidates—you understand the mission personally.
What is the career progression for Veterans Claims Examiners?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman Rating Veterans Service Representatives at GS-9/10/11, senior specialists at GS-11/12. Decision Review Officers handle appeals at GS-12. Supervisory and quality review positions offer advancement. VA offers excellent training and promotion opportunities.
How do I apply for GS-0996 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Veterans Claims Examiner' or 'Veterans Service Representative.' VA regional offices nationwide hire regularly. This is a high-demand position. Emphasize your analytical skills, attention to detail, and connection to the veteran community. As a veteran, you have a direct understanding of the mission.
Ready to apply for GS-0996?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.