Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E)
You may be eligible for VR&E benefits and services if you’re a Veteran, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.
All of these must be true. You:
- Didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
- Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA, and
- Apply for VR&E services
What is the basic period of eligibility?
Your basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from the date you received notice of your:
- Date of separation from active military service, or
- First VA service-connected disability rating
Please note: The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) finds that you have a serious employment handicap (SEH). Having an employment handicap means your service-connected disability limits your ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse, is stable, and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests).
If I’m still on active duty, am I eligible for Vocational Rehab and Employment?
You may be eligible for VR&E benefits and services if you’re a service member and you meet at least one of the requirements listed below.
At least one of these must be true. You:
- Have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military, or
- Are participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) process or awaiting discharge due to a medical condition resulting from a serious injury or illness that occurred in the line of duty.
Learn more about accessing VR&E services through IDES
Please note: Severely injured active-duty service members can automatically receive VR&E benefits before VA issues a disability rating, because of Sec. 1631(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (PL 110-181).
See our FAQ page HERE for more information.