(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in this section, in all original examinations, the Board of Civil Service Commissioners shall, in addition to all other credits, give a credit of five percent of the total credits specified for an examination to all persons who receive a passing score on the examination and who have served in the armed forces of the United States during time of war or armed insurrection, or during any time when the United States is engaged in active military operations against any foreign power, whether or not war has been formally declared, or when the United States is assisting the United Nations in actions involving the use of armed forces to restore international peace and security (Military Service), if such persons are honorably discharged from active service even if they remain in the military reserve.
(b) The five percent (5%) credit shall be granted for a period of five years from the date of release from active Military Service of an eligible person or five years from the date the person becomes available for employment. A person shall be deemed unavailable for employment if the person is a student engaged in a training or educational process approved by the board or is hospitalized as a result of a service-connected injury or illness.
(c) A five percent (5%) credit for a period not to exceed five years shall be given to widows or widowers of persons killed while in Military Service. Such five-year period shall commence to run from the date the spouse is deceased.
(d) A five percent (5%) credit for a period not to exceed five years shall be given to spouses of persons who are unable to work because of disabilities resulting from Military Service. Such five-year period shall commence to run from the date the board determines that the person became unable to work.
(e) Notwithstanding any time limitations set forth in other parts of this section, the five percent (5%) credit shall be provided to all persons with disabilities resulting from Military Service without regard to the date of discharge. For purposes of this subsection, a person shall be deemed disabled if the disability is certified by the Veterans Administration or its successor agency.