Hi guys,

SFA-5.4 1998 SECTION II
TABLE 2
TYPE OF WELDING CURRENT AND POSITION OF
WELDING
AWS
Classification a  Welding Current b   Welding Position  c
EXXX(X)-15              dcep                         Alld
EXXX(X)-25              dcep                         H, F
EXXX(X)-16              dcep or ac                Alld
EXXX(X)-17              dcep or ac                Alld
EXXX(X)-26              dcep or ac                H, F
NOTES
a. See Section A8, Classification as to Useability, for explanation of
positions.
b. dcep  Direct current electrode positive (reverse polarity).
ac  Alternating current
c. The abbreviations H and F indicate welding positions (Figure 3)
as follows:
F  Flat
H  Horizontal
d. Electrodes 3⁄16 in. (4.8 mm) and larger are not recommended for
welding all positions.

The -15, -16 & -17 suffixes are "all positions" but as Al stated just because it is allowed does not mean the results are all acceptable.

Scrappywelds,
SFA 5.01 lists VD as a position (I thought the same as you that it was a progression)

Notes:
a. The abbreviations indicate the welding positions as follows:
F  Flat
H  Horizontal
H-fillets  Horizontal fillets
V-down  Vertical with downward progression
V  Vertical - For electrodes 3⁄16 in. (4.8 mm) and under, except 5⁄32 in. (4.0 mm)  and under for classifications E7014, E7015, E7016, E7018, and E7018M.
OH Overhead - For electrodes 3⁄16 in. (4.8 mm) and under, except 5⁄32 in. (4.0 mm)  and under for classifications E7014, E7015, E7016, E7018, and E7018M.

Regards,
Shane