(a) All employees of the State of Arkansas, as defined in § 21-4-203, who have been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor to have incurred a military service-connected disability and have been scheduled by the department to be reexamined or treated for the disability shall be entitled to a leave of absence with pay for a period not to exceed six (6) days for that purpose during any one (1) calendar year.
(b)
(1) If an employee receives a leave of absence under this section, the employee shall be entitled to his or her regular salary during the time the employee is away from his or her duties during the leave of absence.
(2) The leave of absence shall be in addition to the regular annual leave and sick leave allowed to the employee.
(c) During a leave of absence, the employee shall be entitled to preserve:
(1) All seniority rights, efficiency or performance ratings, promotional status, retirement privileges, and life and disability insurance benefits; and
(2) Any other rights, privileges, and benefits to which he or she has become entitled.
(d) For purposes of computations to determine whether the employee may be entitled to retirement benefits, the period of the leave of absence shall be deemed continuous service.
(e) The state shall continue to contribute its portion of any life or disability insurance premiums during the leave of absence on behalf of the employee, if requested, so that continuous coverage may be maintained.