--- title: "Part XIII, Subpart i, Chapter 5, Section A Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Eligibility" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part XIII, Subpart i, Chapter 5, Section A" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/xiii.i.5.a-veteran-readiness-and-employment-vr-and-e-eligibility" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000173835/M21-1-Part-XIII-Subpart-i-Chapter-5-Section-A-Veteran-Readiness-and-Employment-VRE-Eligibility" updated: "2026-09-07T14:38:10.931275Z" --- February 13, 2013 ### XIII.i.5.A.1.a. Services Provided by VR&E Service The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates eligible Veterans to determine if they need services to help overcome barriers to employment. Depending on an individual’s needs, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Service may provide the following: * an evaluation of the individual’s abilities, skills, and interests * assistance in finding and maintaining suitable employment * vocational counseling and planning * training, such as * on-the-job and work experience programs, and * certificate, two- or four-year college, or technical programs * supportive rehabilitation services and additional counseling, and * a program of services to assist in achieving independence in daily living. ### XIII.i.5.A.1.b. Special Programs for Unemployable Veterans Veterans awarded 100-percent disability compensation based upon unemployability may still request an evaluation. If they are found eligible, they may participate in a VR&E program and receive help getting a job.VA continues to pay 100-percent disability compensation to a Veteran who secures employment under the special program until the Veteran has worked continuously for at least 12 months. ### XIII.i.5.A.1.c. Time Period During Which a Rehabilitation Program Must Be Completed Generally, Veterans must complete a VR&E program within 12 years from the date * they separate from military service, or * VA notifies them that they have a compensable, service-connected (SC) disability. ### XIII.i.5.A.1.d. Payment to Veterans Who Participate in a Training Program VA pays the cost of VR&E services and a subsistence allowance to Veterans who participate in a training program. #### ## 2. Eligibility Requirements for VR&E Services Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 This topic contains information on eligibility requirements for VR&E services under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31, including * service requirements * eligibility criteria by application date * eligibility for VR&E services based on 38 CFR 3.324 * VR&E services eligibility for service members, and * considering potential VR&E services eligibility for special circumstances. February 16, 2021 ### XIII.i.5.A.2.a. Service Requirements Veterans and service members who served in the armed forces on or after September 16, 1940, and were discharged or released from military service under other-than-dishonorable conditions may be entitled to VR&E services. **Reference:** For more information on VR&E eligibility for service members, see M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart i, 5.A.2.d. ### XIII.i.5.A.2.b. Eligibility Criteria by Application Date Eligibility criteria for VR&E services are based on the date VA received the original application for benefits under [38 U.S.C. Chapter 31]() from the Veteran. Use the table below to determine what eligibility criteria apply as of the specific dates referenced. | **If the Veteran filed an original claim …**| **Then eligibility for VR &E services requires that the Veteran have …** _prior_ to November 1, 1990| * an SC disability evaluated at 10 percent or more disabling, or * entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) under [38 U.S.C. 1114(k)]() or former subsection [38 U.S.C. 1114(q)](). **Note:** Entitlement continues for Veterans who established eligibility under one of these criteria. between November 1, 1990, and September 30, 1993| an SC disability evaluated at 20 percent or more disabling. **Note:** Under this condition, a statutory award under [38 U.S.C. 1114(k)](), or former subsection [38 U.S.C. 1114(q)](), does _not_ meet the 20-percent evaluation requirement. October 1, 1993, or later| an SC disability evaluated at * 20 percent or more disabling, or * 10-percent disabling, **_provided_** the VR&E activity determines that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap. **Reference:** For more information on general eligibility for VR&E services, see [38 U.S.C. Chapter 31](). ### XIII.i.5.A.2.c. Eligibility for VR&E Services Based on 38 CFR 3.324 A Veteran’s entitlement to compensation under [38 CFR 3.324]() satisfies the 10-percent evaluation requirement, even though a statutory award under [38 U.S.C. 1114(k)]() or former subsection [38 U.S.C. 1114(q)]() does _not_. ### XIII.i.5.A.2.d. VR&E Services Eligibility for Service Members Effective February 10, 2012, in accordance with _Public Law (PL)_ _110-181, Section 1631(b)_ , and as rendered permanent by _PL_ _115-251, Section 126_ , severely ill or injured service members who have been referred to a military Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) or are participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) may be eligible for VR&E services without obtaining a VA disability rating. Service members pending medical separation from active duty who have not been referred to a PEB or are not participating in IDES may apply, but the disability rating must be _at least_ 20 percent. **Reference:** For more information on pre-discharge claims, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6](). ### XIII.i.5.A.2.e. Considering Potential VR&E Services Eligibility for Special Circumstances Use the table below to determine potential eligibility for claimants who * filed an original claim for VR&E services after October 1, 1993, but * are impacted by special circumstances. | **If the claimant is a ...**| **Then the claimant …** hospitalized service member pending discharge| must have SC disabilities likely to be at least 20-percent disabling to be eligible to apply for vocational rehabilitation services. Veteran receiving _**only**_ SMC under * [38 U.S.C. 1114(k)](), or * [38 U.S.C. 1114(q)]() | does _not_ meet the eligibility criteria discussed in * [38 U.S.C. Chapter 31](), and * M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart i, 5.A.2.b. #### ## 3. Notifying Veterans of Potential Eligibility for VR&E Services Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 This topic contains information on notifying Veterans of potential eligibility for VR&E services, including * when to send notice of potential eligibility for VR&E services * when notice of potential eligibility is not required * enclosing appropriate forms in the disability award decision notice, and * actions to take when the Veteran returns a completed application for VR&E services. February 6, 2018 ### XIII.i.5.A.3.a. When to Send Notice of Potential Eligibility for VR&E Services Inform Veterans of the availability and purpose of VR&E services when * an original or supplemental claim results in an initial SC disability rating of 10 percent or greater * an increased combined SC disability rating of 10 percent or greater is awarded, or * a _DD Form 214_ , _Certificate of Release From Active Duty,_ is received showing the Veteran has been retired from the armed forces because of disability. **Note:** The VR&E activity must determine the Veteran’s eligibility for [38 U.S.C. Chapter 31]() services. ### XIII.i.5.A.3.b. When Notice of Potential Eligibility Is Not Required Do _not_ send notice to Veterans * currently receiving [38 U.S.C. Chapter 31]() benefits * with combined disability ratings of 0 percent, or * with a pending application for VR&E benefits. ### XIII.i.5.A.3.c. Enclosing Appropriate Forms in the Disability Award Decision Notice Send the following forms as enclosures to a decision notice that communicates one of the rating outcomes discussed in M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart i, 5.A.3.a: * _[VA Form 28-1900, Application for Veteran Readiness and Employment Benefits for Claimants With Service-Connected Disabilities (Chapter 31, Title 38, U.S.C.)]()_,__ and * _[VA Form 28-8890, Important Information About the Chapter 31 or Veteran Readiness and Employment Program]()_. **Note:** A decision notice prepared via the Redesigned Automated Decision Letter (RADL) process need not provide these forms as physical enclosures.**References:** For more information on * notifying claimants of potential entitlement to additional benefits, see [M21-1, Part VI, Subpart i, 1.B.1.k](), and * sections of an RADL-generated decision notice, see [M21-1, Part VI, Subpart i, 1.B.3.d](). ### XIII.i.5.A.3.d. Action to Take When the Veteran Returns a Completed Application for VR&E Services When a Veteran returns a completed [_VA Form 28-1900_](), refer the application to the VR&E activity in accordance with M28C.If necessary, the VR&E activity will refer the case to the rating activity for a rating decision.**References:** For more information on * memorandum VR&E ratings, see * [M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart i, 5.B]() and * [M28C, Part IV, A.2](), and * VR&E Service functions, see [VR&E’s intranet site]().