The department shall prescribe and determine the qualifications of all veterans. Any person deeming himself a veteran and desiring to benefit hereunder, shall submit to the department information, in such form as the department prescribes, which will enable the department to determine his eligibility and qualifications. The department may make further inquiries and investigations in order to determine such eligibility and qualifications. Veterans who are otherwise qualified and who were wounded or disabled as a result of their service shall be given first preference in the benefits conferred by this article. The department shall determine, in each case, whether or not the
veteran was wounded or disabled as a result of service.
The following group shall be given second preference in the benefits conferred by this article:
(a)
The unremarried spouse of individuals who were members of the armed forces on active military duty, entered active duty while in the State of California, lived in this state for six months immediately preceding his or her entry into active duty, and were killed in the line of duty while on active duty.
(b)
Members of the armed forces who entered active military duty while in the State of California, lived in this state for six months preceding his or her entry into active duty, and were held as prisoners of war.
(c)
The unremarried spouse of members of the armed forces who entered active military duty while in the State
of California, lived in this state for six months preceding his or her entry into active duty, and have been designated by the armed forces as missing in action.
Veterans discharged or released from active duty within 10 years of their application to the department shall be given third preference in the benefits conferred by this article.
Nothing in this section regarding preferences shall affect any eligibility requirement for benefits conferred by this article.