Not all “veterans” are the same. Some, yes, they truly served and left with honors, some just squeaked by or were even let go. Technically you might have washed out in basic training you can still say you are a “veteran”. Its like any other employer - some workers are good and bad. I work with some darn good ones. I guess you could ask to see their ID card which says what kind of veteran they are.
Also not every veteran saw combat. Some, well actually most, served in rear areas working with supplies or fixing things. Dont get me wrong, those veterans are just as important as the ones who saw combat but are less likely to have been wounded and thus require special attention.
I think it would be better if the person asking for the service would identify as say elderly or something. Heck sometimes kids can shovel an elderly persons driveway and get service hours for it.
But just “veteran”? No.