About The VR&E Program
What Is the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Program?
This program's primary function is to
help veterans who have service-connected
disabilities become suitably
employed, maintain employment,
or achieve independance in
daily living.
Who is Eligible for VR&E Services?
To receive an evaluation for vocational rehabilitation
services, a veteran must:
- Have received, or eventually receive, an honorable or
other than dishonorable discharge
- Have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or
more
- Apply for vocational rehabilitation services
The law generally provides for a 12-year basic period of eligibility
in which services may be used. The 12-year period
begins on the latter of these dates:
- Date of separation from active military duty or
- Date the veteran was first notified of a service-connected
disability rating
A Comprehensive Evaluation is completed with a
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor that includes:
- A full assessment of the veteran's
interests, aptitudes,
and abilities to determine
whether the veteran is
"entitled" to VR&E services
- An assessment of whether
service-connected disabilities
impair the veteran's ability to
find and/or hold a job using
the occupational skills
already attained
- Vocational exploration and goal development
How is Entitlement Determined?
A VA Counselor decides if a veteran has an employment
handicap based upon the results
of the comprehensive evaluation.
Entitlement to services is
established if the veteran has a
20% service-connected disability
and an employment handicap. If
the disability is 10% service-connected,
then a serious
employment handicap must be
found to establish entitlement to vocational
rehabilitation services (see definitions for more
details).
After an entitlement decision is made, the veteran and
the counselor will work together to develop a
rehabilitation plan.
What is a Rehabilitation Plan?
A Rehabilitation Plan is a written detailed outline of services
provided under the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
program. The following service delivery options may be
provided under a Rehabilitation Plan:
- Reemployment with previous employer
- Rapid employment services for new employment
- Self-employment
- Employment through long term services
- Independent living services
