Veterans' Benefits: The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program

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The number of servicemembers, National Guard, and Reservists who separate from active duty
with service-connected disabilities is expected to rise as a result of the engagement of the U.S.
Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. There is concern in
Congress that these individuals receive the care and services that will enable them to transition
successfully back to civilian life. These veterans must be able to rejoin their families and
communities, become employed, and continue to enjoy the highest quality of life possible, given
their disabilities.
Congress authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Vocational
Rehabilitation & Employment Service (VR&E), to provide the support disabled veterans’ need to
successfully complete rehabilitation plans tailored to their individual needs. The VR&E has
recently restructured its program in an effort to better accomplish the goal of enabling disabled
veterans to gain appropriate employment or live independently. More specialists and counselors
have been hired in regional VA offices, and the VR&E has instituted outreach efforts to encourage
more veterans who might be eligible for these services to apply to participate in the program. The
VR&E has also entered into cooperative agreements with other federal agencies, such as the
Department of Labor and the Department of Education, and with private organizations, providing
an integrated approach to addressing the employment needs of disabled servicemembers and
veterans.
The VR&E administers four programs: (1) training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-
connected disabilities; (2) vocational and educational counseling; (3) vocational training for
Vietnam veterans’ children with Spina Bifida; and (4) special restorative training. In addition, the
Coming Home to Work Program of the VR&E Service is designed to facilitate the veterans’
return to the work force with maximum speed. This report describes VR&E program services
available to veterans with service-connected disabilities and to their families. It provides
information about eligibility and entitlement, the application process, and resources available
through other agencies. A brief history of the program is also provided.
This report will be updated as relevant legislative activity warrants.

Histor y ............................................................................................................................................. 1
The VR&E Program........................................................................................................................2
Case Management...........................................................................................................................2
The Five-Track Service Delivery System........................................................................................4
Re-Employment Track..............................................................................................................4
Rapid Access to Employment Track.........................................................................................4
Self-Employment Track............................................................................................................4
Employment through Long-Term Services Track.....................................................................4
Independent Living Services Track...........................................................................................4
Vocational-Educational Counseling................................................................................................6
Children with Spina Bifida and Other Birth Defects.......................................................................7
Special Restorative Training............................................................................................................7
The Coming Home to Work Program..............................................................................................7
Eligibility and Entitlement..............................................................................................................8
Eligibility .................................................................................................................................. 8
Entitlement .................................................................................................................... ............ 9
What is an Employment Handicap?....................................................................................9
What is a Serious Employment Handicap?.......................................................................10
Period of Eligibility.................................................................................................................10
The Application Process.................................................................................................................11
Utilization of VR&E Services........................................................................................................11
Current Issues................................................................................................................................12
Other Employment Assistance Programs for Disabled Veterans..................................................13
Federal Government Programs......................................................................................................13
Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program (CAP).......................................................13
The Department of Education: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA)............................................................................................14
The Department of Labor (DOL)............................................................................................14
Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP).............................................................14
The Compensated Work Therapy Program.......................................................................14
The National Veterans Employment Program (NVEP)...........................................................15
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)........................................................................15
The Small Business Administration (SBA).............................................................................15
Military Programs..........................................................................................................................15
Air Force Palace HART-Helping Airmen Recover Together Program...................................15
Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) and ACAP-Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV)...................................................................................16
Army Material Command: Always a Soldier..........................................................................16
Marine for Life-Injured Support Program (M4L-IS)..............................................................16
Navy Safe Harbor Program.....................................................................................................17
U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2).......................................................................17

Table 1. Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program Statistics, FY2006..........................12
Table A-1. Monthly Allowance, Category I..................................................................................18
Table A-2. Monthly Allowance, Category II.................................................................................18
Table A-3. Monthly Allowance, Category III................................................................................18
Table A-4. Monthly Allowance, Category IV................................................................................19
Table A-5. Monthly Allowance, Category V.................................................................................19
Table A-6. Monthly Allowance, Category VI................................................................................19
Table A-7. Monthly Allowance, Category VII..............................................................................19
Appendix. 2009 VR&E Training Programs Subsistence Allowance Rates...................................18
Author Contact Information..........................................................................................................20
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 20

ongress is concerned that servicemembers, National Guard, and Reservists involved in
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom who are being discharged
from military service with service-connected disabilities receive timely and effective C

vocational rehabilitation services. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
(VR&E), one of five major programs administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration ¹
(VBA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), addresses this concern. The program’s
purpose is to counsel and rehabilitate veterans, with an emphasis on employment and independent
living. The program provides comprehensive services and assistance to enable veterans with ²
service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps to achieve maximum independence in
daily living, to become employable, and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. For
severely disabled veterans, the goal is to help them achieve the highest quality of life possible
with a future chance of employment, given medical and technological advances. The VR&E
service delivery strategies differ from those of many other VBA programs as they require
personal interaction with the veteran to deliver services and have the largest network of service ³
delivery points of any VBA program.

In 1918, Congress passed P.L. 65-178, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, to provide for the
retraining and placing in productive occupations of disabled persons who had served in the U.S.
military and naval forces. The rehabilitation program was administered by the Federal Board for
Vocational Education. On August 24, 1921, control of veterans’ rehabilitation was transferred to
the newly created Veterans’ Bureau. In 1930, Congress created the Veterans Administration by
combining three bureaus, the Veterans’ Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions, and the National Homes
for Disabled Volunteer Veterans.
In 1943, Congress passed P.L. 78-16, which provided that any eligible veteran may receive up to
four years of training specifically directed to the restoration of employability. To be eligible for
this training, the veteran must
• have been in the active military or naval service at any time after September 16,

1940, and during World War II;

• have been discharged under circumstances other than dishonorable;
• have a disability incurred in or aggravated by such service for which a pension is
payable under the laws administered by the VA or would be but for the receipt of
retirement pay; and
• be in need of vocational rehabilitation to overcome the handicap caused by such
service-connected disability.
Under this program, the VA provided services to 621,000 World War II disabled veterans.

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Over the years, the scope of the VR&E program has been modified and expanded through
legislation to better fulfill its mission. The program has undergone many name changes and has
often been aligned with the education services of the VBA. In 1999, the program acquired its
current name with the intention of placing more emphasis on employment services. Today, the VA
handles the rehabilitation of disabled veterans through the VR&E program.

In 2004, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs responded to continuing criticisms of the VR&E’s ⁴
operations from committees of Congress, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and ⁵
others, by forming a task force to evaluate the program. The task force report found little
evidence that the program’s efforts to obtain jobs for rehabilitated veterans had been as successful
as intended by Congress. The task force felt that the VR&E staff was doing a good job for
veterans; however, it also recognized the need for a more effective rehabilitation program to
enable veterans to resume independent living and lead productive lives as soon as possible. ^st
According to the report, the foundation of the 21 century VR&E program should shift its focus
to an individual’s ability and away from an individual’s disability. The task force report made 110
recommendations for the program’s improvement. By the end of FY2007, over 89 of the 110 ⁶
recommendations had been implemented.
Before 1980, successful rehabilitation was defined as completion of a training program for
suitable employment and not actual job placement. The task force identified this as an area that
needed improvement. Under the current program, VR&E staff must make sure that a veteran
understands that the primary goal of the VR&E program is employment and encourage and
motivate him or her toward obtaining a job while in the rehabilitation program. The VR&E has
stationed 83 Employment Coordinators (ECs) at regional VA offices across the country with the
primary task of providing disabled veterans with any necessary job-readiness skills as well as job
referral or placement services. Efforts have been made by the VA to increase employment
opportunities for disabled veterans through partnerships with the Department of Labor, other
federal agencies and organizations, and with employers across the nation.

A case manager is assigned to each recipient of VR&E services. The case manager works with a
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) who must determine if, and why, the disabled veteran
has experienced employability restrictions (or employment handicaps). A written rehabilitation
plan must be developed by the VA and the veteran, describing the goal of the VR&E program and

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the means through which the goal will be achieved. The VRC will work with the veteran to assess
his or her status and help to develop the written rehabilitation plan. The VRC and the case
manager help the veteran to achieve the goals of the agreed upon written plan for employment or
independent living. The VRC or case manager may provide referrals for medical and dental
services, coordination of training allowances, tutorial assistance, or other services to achieve
rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation phase of the VR&E program includes the following key components:
• evaluation and planning,
• extended evaluation,
• rehabilitation and employability (training or education),
• independent living,
• job ready status, and
• interrupted status.
Under the current VR&E program, a veteran whose eligibility and entitlement have been
established must not only complete the rehabilitation plan, but he or she will also be tracked to
attainment of suitable employment based on the plan’s goals.
By law,⁷ the services provided include the following:
• educational, personal, and psychological counseling and evaluation;
• vocational training benefits;
• loans;
• monthly subsistence allowance and work study allowance;
• medical benefits, including treatment, care, prosthetic appliances, and eyeglasses;
• any family support that is necessary to aid rehabilitation;
• case management services;
• travel and incidentals’ allowance to defray costs of expenses incurred during
rehabilitation, job seeking, and initial employment;
• special services related to blindness and deafness;
• assistance with independent living services;
• placement and employment services; and
• post placement services to ensure satisfactory adjustment in employment.
One of the task force’s major recommendations led to the development of a new Five-Track
Service Delivery System designed to make the VR&E’s services more employment-driven.
Veterans must choose one of the five tracks to reach their employment goals: Re-employment;

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Rapid Access to Employment; Self-Employment; Employment through Long-Term Services; or
Independent Living Services. The five tracks are described briefly below.

The Re-employment Track helps veterans and members of the National Guard and the Reserves
return to jobs held prior to active duty. Veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members may be
provided with job accommodations, job modification, case management, coordination, and
linkages to services with VA healthcare, re-employment rights advice, work adjustment services,
and consultations with employers.
The Rapid Access to Employment Track emphasizes the goal of immediate employment and is
available to those who already have the skills to compete in the job market in appropriate
occupations. Among other things, veterans may be provided job readiness preparation, resume
development, job search assistance, and accommodations. ECs provide post-employment follow-
up.
This track is for veterans who have limited access to traditional employment and need flexible
work schedules and a more accommodating work environment because of their disabling
conditions or other special circumstances. Veterans may be provided an analysis of the viability
of a business concept, development of a business plan, training in the operation of small
businesses, marketing and financial assistance, and guidance on obtaining adequate resources to
implement the business plan.
Under this track, the VR&E assists veterans who need specialized training or education to obtain
and maintain suitable employment. Training or education (or both) may be provided, including
on-the-job training, apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, work monitoring, work-study,
public-private job partnering, or higher education sufficient to obtain suitable entry-level
employment.
The Independent Living Services Track is for veterans who may not be able to work immediately
and need additional rehabilitation to enable them to live more independently. Veterans may be
provided with assistive technology, independent living skills training, and connections to
community-based support services

The Independent Living (IL) Program is designed to help veterans whose service-connected
disability or disabilities may be so severe that they are unable to immediately pursue an
employment goal. It helps them to be able to live independently, participate in family and
community life, and increase their potential to return to work. The IL program was established
under P.L. 96-466, the Veterans Rehabilitation and Education Amendments of 1980, with an
annual cap of 500 new cases per fiscal year. In succeeding years, the number of cases grew as the
program’s success in helping severely disabled veterans gain greater independence in daily living
was recognized. The cap was increased by P.L. 107-103, the Veterans Education and Benefits
Expansion Act of 2001, to 2,500 new cases per fiscal year.
Program expenditures are generally capped at $25,000 per veteran per calendar year. For
expenditures over this amount, the counselor must get approval from the local VR&E office. The
Director of the VA Regional Office must approve costs exceeding $75,000 per veteran per
calendar year. For program costs above $100,000 per veteran per calendar year and IL-related
construction costs exceeding $25,000 per calendar year, approval must be sought from the ⁸
Director of the VR&E Service. IL programs for veterans are usually 24 months in duration, but
they may be extended for an additional six months in exceptional circumstances.
Assessment for participation in the program is done by counselors with specialized experience
and training and is usually done in the veteran’s home. The counselor works with the veteran to
develop an IL plan that outlines the goals, services, and assistance to be provided and benchmarks
to be used to determine progress in achieving greater independence in daily living. Services are
tailored to the veteran’s individual needs.
To meet the needs of veterans with severe disabilities and mobility impairments, VR&E’s IL
program works with the VA’s Loan Guaranty Service and the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) ⁹
grant program, the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) program, the
Automobile Adaptive Equipment program, and the Visually Impaired Services Team (VIST). The ¹⁰
VR&E also works with the Committee on Care of Veterans with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) ¹¹
and the Traumatic Brain Injury Caregivers Panel.
IL program services may include the following:
• training in activities of daily living;
• attendant care during period of transition;
• transportation when special arrangements are required;
• assistive technology;

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• specialized medical, health, and rehabilitation services;
• services to address any personal and/or family adjustment issues;
• peer counseling;
• housing integral to participation in a program of special rehabilitation services;
• training in independent living skills;
• connection with community-based support services;
• training to improve awareness of rights and needs;
• assistance in identifying and maintaining volunteer or supported employment;
• services to decrease social isolation; and
• adaptive equipment that increases functional independence.
A veteran eligible for the IL program must submit a completed application Form VA 28-1900 for
VR&E services. He or she must also undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a counselor who
will determine if the veteran is entitled to program services and if the IL program is appropriate
for the veteran.

The VR&E also provides a wide range of vocational-educational counseling to active duty
servicemembers as well as to veterans and their dependents who are eligible for education ¹²¹³
benefits. The VR&E program is distinct from the Montgomery GI Bill. Servicemembers are
eligible for these services six months prior to discharge from active duty or within one year after
discharge. The services are designed to help these individuals choose a vocational direction and
the course necessary to achieve their goals. Assistance may include testing for aptitude, exploring
occupations, setting occupational goals, locating the right type of training program, and exploring
educational or training facilities to achieve a vocational goal.
If a disabled veteran is enrolled in a vocational rehabilitation program, the VR&E pays the cost of
tuition, fees, required books, supplies, and equipment. The VR&E may also pay for supportive
services such as medical and dental care, prosthetic devices, lip-reading training, and signing for
the deaf.
The goal of the education component of the VR&E program is to “address the continuum of ‘life
cycle’ needs that a veteran with disabilities experiences, of which education may—or may not—^st
be a necessary part. The focus will be the rehabilitation and employment needs of the 21 century ¹⁴
service-connected disabled veteran.”

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Veterans who need additional education or training to become employable are paid a subsistence
allowance while they participate in vocational rehabilitation training. This subsistence allowance
is larger than the stipend under the GI Bill program. It is based on whether training is part-time or
full-time, the number of dependents, and the type of training. See Appendix for current 2009
allowances.

The VR&E provides services to children of Vietnam veterans who were born with Spina Bifida¹⁵
or may have other covered birth defects. These children are entitled to receive vocational training,
education, and employment services as well as other career-directed support services. These
services generally last 24 months, but they may continue if the child has been unsuccessful in
attaining suitable employment.
Services provided differ from those provided to veterans in the following ways. There is
• no subsistence allowance;
• no adaptation of automotive equipment;
• no extension of evaluation of employability beyond 30 days; and
• no independent living program.

The VR&E may also provide special restorative training and counseling to eligible spouses and ¹⁶
children to help them to overcome or lessen mental or physical disabilities. Once eligible, the
spouse or children will receive a comprehensive evaluation to identify the best program or
services for their needs. A case manager assists the family member throughout the entire program.
The family member is also entitled to an accelerated educational assistance allowance for high ¹⁷
tuition programs. Normal assistance may continue until the spouse or child has achieved the
goals of the special restorative training program.

The VR&E has established job resource labs in its regional offices, as well as an online ¹⁸
employment resource known as VetSuccess.gov. The Coming Home to Work (CHTW) program
is VR&E’s primary early intervention and outreach program. The goal of CHTW is to provide
rehabilitation services to VR&E eligible servicemembers pending medical separation and to

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veterans receiving treatment at community-based health care organizations and VA medical ¹⁹²⁰
treatment facilities. CHTW provides a seamless transition to VR&E services.
VR&E eligible servicemembers with at least a 20% disability rating are entitled to an evaluation
for VR&E benefits regardless of their expected discharge date.

Eligibility and entitlement must be established for participation in the VR&E program. A veteran
who has an employment handicap and is eligible for the VR&E program is entitled to all
applicable services. The program originally provided benefits to veterans with a 30% or more ²¹
service-connected disability rating. However, it has been modified to include veterans with a

10% or 20% disability rating.

To be considered eligible for VA benefits, a claimant must be a veteran or the survivor or
dependent of a veteran. The services of the VR&E program are also available to active military ²²
personnel who are in medical-hold or pre-discharge status. These individuals may be pre-
qualified for the program.
To be eligible for VR&E services, a veteran must
• have received, or will receive, a discharge under conditions other than ²³
dishonorable;
• have served on or after September 16, 1940;
• have a service-connected disability employment handicap rating of at least 20%
or a serious employment handicap rating of 10%;
• need vocational rehabilitation to overcome an employment handicap; and
• submit a completed application for VR&E services on VA Form 28-1900.

¹⁹^T^h^e^C^o^m^m^unit^y^B^a^s^e^{d H}^e^a^{lth C}^a^r^e^O^r^g^a^niz^a^{tion (}^C^B^H^C^O⁾^P^r^og^r^a^m^w^a^s^c^r^ea^te^{d to a}^s^sⁱ^s^t^G^u^a^r^{d a}ⁿ^{d R}^e^s^e^r^v^e
^serv^ice^m^e^m^b^e^{rs in}^ju^redⁱⁿ^th^{e l}ⁱⁿ^e^o^f^d^u^t^y^to^retu^rn^to^th^eir^h^o^m^{es w}^h^{ere th}^e^y^w^{ill co}ⁿ^tin^u^e^to^receiv^e^medⁱ^{cal care}
^loc^a^lly^w^h^ile^the^y^a^r^e^e^v^a^l^ua^te^{d for re}^turⁿ^t^o^d^u^ty^{, m}^e^dic^a^l^re^le^a^s^e^,^{or m}^e^dic^a^l^boa^rd.^T^o^be^e^lig^ible^,^the^se^rv^ic^e^m^e^m^b^e^r
^m^u^st^h^a^{ve a re}^ferralⁱⁿ^t^o^t^h^{e p}^r^o^g^ra^m^f^r^o^m^t^h^ei^{r resp}^ectⁱ^v^{e b}^r^an^ch^o^f^servi^c^e.^Natⁱ^oⁿ^a^l^G^u^ard^an^{d R}^e^serv^e
^se^rv^ic^e^m^e^m^be^rs^m^u^{st a}^g^r^e^e^{to re}^m^a^{in on}^a^c^tiv^e^dut^y^s^t^a^t^us^{to be}^eⁿ^r^o^lle^{d in}^the^C^B^H^C^O^pr^og^r^a^m^.
²⁰^T^o^a^pply^f^o^{r Com}ⁱ^ng^H^o^m^e^T^o^W^o^rk^s^e^rvⁱ^c^e^s^{, s}^e^r^v^ic^em^em^be^rs^w^{ithout a}^V^A^dis^a^bility^ra^ting^m^u^s^t^c^o^m^p^le^te^V^A
^F^o^r^m²⁸^-⁰⁵⁸⁸^,^V^o^c^a^ti^on^{al Re}^h^a^bⁱ^litati^on^a^{nd Em}^ploy^me^nt^{- Ge}^ttin^{g Ahe}^ad^Afte^{r Yo}^{u Ge}^{t Ou}^t^{, a}ⁿ^{d s}^ubm^{it it w}^ith
^medⁱ^cal^reco^rd^{s an}^d^{a co}^m^p^l^e^t^e^d^ap^p^lⁱ^catⁱ^oⁿ^f^o^r^V^R^&E^servi^{ces (}^V^A^F^o^rm²⁸^-¹⁹⁰⁰^{) t}^o^t^h^eⁿ^earest^V^A^regi^oⁿ^a^l^o^f^fⁱ^ce.
²¹^For^m^o^r^e^inf^o^r^m^a^{tion a}^b^o^u^{t t}^h^e^VA^r^a^ting^s^y^s^t^em^{, s}^e^e^C^R^S^R^e^por^{t R}^L³³³^23,^Ve^te^{rans A}^{ffairs: Be}^ne^{fits for}^Se^rv^ic^e^-
^Conne^c^t^e^d^Dis^abi^litie^s^,^by^D^oug^la^s^Re^{id W}^eⁱ^m^e^r^.
²²^For^a^de^s^c^rⁱ^ptioⁿ^of^m^e^dic^a^l^hol^d^dis^c^ha^r^g^e^s^t^a^t^us^{, s}^e^e^C^R^S^R^e^por^t^R^L³³⁹⁹^1,^Dis^abi^lity^Ev^al^uat^ioⁿ^{of M}^ilit^ary
^S^e^rvi^cememb^e^rs^{, b}^y^C^h^rⁱ^s^tine^Sc^ott,^Sida^t^h^Vir^a^ng^a^P^a^na^ng^a^l^a^,^aⁿ^{d C}^h^a^r^le^s^A^.^H^e^nning^.
²³^For^m^o^r^e^inf^o^r^m^a^{tion o}ⁿ^dis^c^ha^r^g^e^c^r^ite^rⁱ^a^,^s^e^e^C^R^S^R^e^por^{t R}^L³³¹¹³^,^Ve^te^ra^{ns Aff}^a^{irs: Basic}^E^ligi^b^ility^f^o^r
^Disability^Be^ne^fit^Pr^ogr^ams^{, by}^Doug^la^{s Re}^{id W}^e^im^e^r^.

Servicemembers pending medical separation from active duty may apply for VR&E services if
their disabilities are reasonably expected to be rated at a minimum of at least 20% following their
discharge. Each veteran must work with a case manager who will advise him or her on the series
of steps to be taken to receive VR&E program services. The steps are described below:
^Step¹^.^A^p^p^licatioⁿ⁽^d^escr^ib^ed^laterⁱⁿ^t^h^{is r}^e^p^o^r^t)^f^o^r^b^eⁿ^e^fⁱ^t^s^an^d^as^sess^m^eⁿ^t^o^f^p^r^o^g^r^a^m
^elig^ib^ilit^y^.
^S^t^e^p²^.^E^v^a^l^u^a^tⁱ^oⁿ^t^o^a^s^s^e^s^sⁿ^e^e^d^s^aⁿ^d^d^e^t^e^r^mⁱⁿ^e^s^e^r^vⁱ^c^e^s^t^o^wh^ic^h^a^v^e^ter^aⁿ^m^a^y^b^e^en^title^d^,
^an^d^f^o^r^m^u^l^atioⁿ^o^f^{a p}^l^an^o^f^r^e^h^a^b^ilitatioⁿ^.
^{Step 3. P}^r^ov^is^ion^o^f^reh^a^bili^tatⁱ^on^s^e^r^v^ices^f^o^{r eit}^h^{er e}^m^plo^y^m^e^{nt (s}^er^vⁱ^ces^aⁿ^{d a}^s^sⁱ^s^t^an^ce
^t^h^a^t^l^e^a^d^t^o^t^h^e^v^e^t^e^r^aⁿ^b^e^c^o^mⁱⁿ^g^j^o^b^-^r^e^a^d^y⁾^o^r^a^c^hⁱ^e^v^e^m^eⁿ^t^o^f^a^m^e^a^s^u^r^e^o^fⁱⁿ^cr^eased^ab^ilit^y
^to^liv^{e m}^o^r^eⁱⁿ^d^e^p^eⁿ^d^eⁿ^tl^yⁱⁿ^th^e^co^m^m^uⁿⁱ^t^y^.
^Step⁴^.^Co^m^p^letioⁿ^o^f^th^{e r}^e^h^a^b^ilitatioⁿ^p^r^o^c^e^s^s^.^V^e^t^e^r^aⁿ^s^w^h^o^h^a^v^e^o^b^t^aⁱⁿ^e^d^aⁿ^d^m^aⁱⁿ^t^aⁱⁿ^ed
^s^uⁱ^t^a^bl^{e e}^m^pl^o^y^m^eⁿ^t^{or ach}ⁱ^e^ved^m^a^xⁱ^m^u^mⁱⁿ^depen^d^eⁿ^{ce i}ⁿ^dai^l^y^lⁱ^vⁱ^ng^{are cons}ⁱ^d^{ered t}^o
^b^e^r^e^h^a^b^ilitated^.^Sui^t^abl^{e em}^p^l^oym^e^nt^is^w^o^r^k^wⁱ^thⁱⁿ^{a v}^e^ter^aⁿ^’^{s p}^h^y^{sical a}ⁿ^d^e^m^o^tioⁿ^a^l
^cap^ab^{ilities an}^d^coⁿ^sⁱ^s^teⁿ^t^wⁱ^t^h^hⁱ^{s o}^r^h^e^r^p^a^tterⁿ^{s o}^f^ab^ilitie^{s, ap}^titu^d^e^{s, an}^dⁱⁿ^ter^e^st^s.
The VRC makes the entitlement determination on the basis of whether the veteran’s employment
problems have been caused by
• the veteran’s service-connected disabilities;
• the veteran’s non service-connected disabilities;
• deficiencies in education and training;
• negative attitudes about people with disabilities;
• the impact of alcoholism or drug abuse;
• consistency with abilities, aptitudes, and interests; or
• other pertinent factors.
To be entitled to vocational rehabilitation program services a veteran must be within the
eligibility period (12 years) and have a disability rating of at least 20% with an employment
handicap. Veterans with a disability rating of at least 10% with a serious employment handicap
are entitled to program services regardless of whether the veteran is within the eligibility period.
An employment handicap as defined by law²⁴ is an impairment of a veteran’s ability to prepare
for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The
impairment results in substantial part from a service-connected disability. Veterans with a

²⁴^38U^.^S^.C^.^§3¹⁰^{1, (}¹⁾^.

disability rating of at least 20% and an employment handicap are entitled to VR&E program
services.
A serious employment handicap as defined by law²⁵ is a significant impairment of a veteran’s
ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes,
and interests. The impairment results in substantial part from a service-connected disability. A
disability rating of at least 10% and a serious employment handicap entitles a veteran to VR&E
program services. If employment is not feasible, the veteran is evaluated for the Independent
Living Program.
The primary difference between an employment handicap and a serious employment handicap is
the degree of vocational impairment. The veteran’s service-connected disability must contribute
to the employment handicap. That is, the VR&E must be able to identify, observe, and measure it.
Certain totally disabled veterans are also eligible for VR&E program services. A veteran with a
single disability rating of 60% or more, or a combined rating from more than one disability of at
least 70%, where one disability is rated at 40% or higher, will be rated totally disabled for VR&E ²⁶
program purposes and be eligible for services.
A veteran who is ineligible for VR&E services will be informed in person and will be sent a letter
with information about appeal rights and the appeals process. The counselor will also use the
information gathered in the application process to recommend other options, programs, or
services that should contribute to the achievement of vocational adjustment. Other programs and
services recommended may include State Vocational Rehabilitation programs and the Department
of Labor’s Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP).
The period of eligibility for VR&E benefits is 12 years from (1) the date of separation from active
military service or (2) the date the veteran was first notified by the VA of a service-connected
disability rating.
The period of eligibility may be extended if the VRC determines that a veteran has a serious
employment handicap, or has not yet been rehabilitated to the point of employability, or has been
rehabilitated but still cannot perform the duties required, or needs more services because the
occupational requirements have changed. An objective evaluation is required for these
circumstances to be determined.
For independent living services, if the medical condition is so severe that achievement of the
vocational goal is not feasible and that goal is necessary to ensure that the veteran will achieve
maximum independence, the period of eligibility may be extended.

²⁵^{38 U}^.^S.C^.^§³¹^01,⁽²⁾^.
²⁶^T^h^e^s^e^v^e^t^e^ra^{ns a}^r^e^a^w^a^r^de^{d tota}^l^disa^bility^be^ne^f^{its (c}^om^pe^nsa^{tion) ba}^se^{d o}ⁿⁱ^ndivⁱ^d^u^a^l^une^m^p^loy^a^bi^lity^{, a}^{nd a}^r^e
^aff^o^rd^ed^V^R^&E^b^eⁿ^e^fⁱ^t^s^.

A veteran, his or her authorized representative, or a Member of Congress may communicate the
veteran’s intent to seek benefits under the VR&E program. The veteran must follow up by
completing an application for the program. If the application is completed within one year of the
communication of intent to file a claim, the date of the communication will be considered the date
of formal application for benefits. The completion of applications is subject to time limits.
Applications with missing information are returned for completion. The completed application
must be returned within a year from the date of notification, or the veteran may be considered ²⁷
ineligible for benefits.
The period from application to notification of entitlement averaged 54 days in FY2007, while the
evaluation and planning phase of the process (See Step 2 under the section on “Eligibility and ²⁸
Entitlement”) averaged 93 days.

For FY2006, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) program performance measures
noted that the VR&E program was making notable progress toward achieving long-term ²⁹
performance measures. Recent data from the Department of Defense (DOD) indicate that each
year, approximately 25,000 active duty servicemembers are found “‘not fit for duty’ due to ³⁰
medical conditions that may qualify them for a VA disability rating and VR&E services.” Since

2003, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard indicate that 29,000 of their members have ³¹

been placed on medical hold or extension status. These servicemembers may qualify for VR&E
services.
In FY2007, the VR&E spent $341.9 million on books, tuition, supplies, fees, and other costs for
67,225 program participants (of which 52,477 received a subsistence allowance)for an average
cost per participant of $5,085. In FY2007, VR&E spending on subsistence allowance benefits
was $226.4 million for services to 52,477 recipients, for an average cost per recipient of $4,314.
In FY2007, VR&E provided rehabilitation, evaluation, planning, and services to 23,446 veterans ³²
or their dependents. No monetary benefit is associated with the latter services.

²⁷^A^pplic^a^{tions m}^a^y^be^subm^itte^{d o}ⁿ^line^or^by^m^a^{il. Onlin}^e^a^ppl^ic^a^{tions a}^r^e^a^v^a^ila^ble^on^the^V^A^w^e^bs^ite^a^t
^http:^//v^a^b^eⁿ^e^f^its.v^ba^.v^a^.^g^o^v^/^v^ona^pp/^m^a^in.a^{sp. A}^pplic^a^tions^fⁱ^l^e^d^on^lⁱⁿ^{e go d}ⁱ^rect^l^y^t^o^t^h^{e app}^r^op^ri^at^{e V}^A^o^f^fⁱ^ce.
^A^pplic^a^{tions t}^h^a^t^w^{ill be}^m^a^ile^{d in m}^u^{st be}^subm^itte^{d o}ⁿ^V^A^Form^28-¹⁹⁰⁰^,^Dⁱ^s^a^ble^d^Ve^te^r^a^ns^Ap^pl^ic^atio^{n f}^o^r
^Voc^a^ti^on^{al Re}^h^a^b^ilit^atioⁿ^{. T}^h^e^f^o^rm^c^a^{n be}^d^o^wⁿ^loa^d^e^d^f^r^om^the^V^A^we^bsite^a^t^http^://w^ww^.^v^a^.^g^ov/v^a^f^o^rm^{s, or}
^v^e^te^r^a^ns^m^a^y^c^a^{ll 1-}^800-⁸²^7-¹⁰⁰⁰^aⁿ^d^r^e^que^s^t^tha^t^t^h^e^f^o^r^m^be^s^e^{nt to t}^h^e^m^by^m^a^{il. T}^h^e^c^o^m^p^le^te^{d f}^o^r^m^s^hould^be
^mai^l^e^d^t^o^t^h^{e n}^earest^V^A^Regi^oⁿ^a^l^Offⁱ^ce.^T^h^er^{e are 5}⁷^regi^oⁿ^a^l^VA^o^f^fⁱ^{ces t}^h^at^carr^y^o^u^t^t^h^{e f}^uⁿ^c^tⁱ^oⁿ^s^o^f^t^h^{e V}^e^t^e^ran^s
^Be^ne^f^its^A^d^mⁱ^nis^t^ra^tion.^T^o^ideⁿ^tⁱ^fy^the^ne^a^r^e^s^{t off}ⁱ^c^e^,^ve^te^ra^ns^s^houl^{d g}^o^t^o^http^://w^w^w^1.va^.g^ov^/^dⁱ^r^e^c^t^ory^/^g^u^ide^/
^hom^e^.^a^s^p.
²⁸^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^w^w^.^w^hite^hous^e^.^g^o^v^/^om^b/e^x^pe^c^t^m^o^re^/^d^e^t^a^il/¹⁰⁰⁰³²²⁰^.2⁰⁰^6.h^t^m^l^.
²⁹^Ibid^.
³⁰^Ibid^.
³¹^Ibid^.
³²^U^.^{S. D}^e^pa^r^t^m^e^{nt of}^Ve^te^r^a^ns^A^f^f^a^ir^s^:^FY2⁰⁰⁹^Bu^dge^t^S^ubmissioⁿ^:^Be^ne^{fits a}^{nd Buri}^al^Pro^g^{rams an}^d^De^partmeⁿ^t^a^l
^Admⁱ^nis^t^r^a^tio^n,^V^o^l.³^of^{4, Fe}^br^ua^ry^2008,^pp^.2A²^-2A³^{, a}^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^w^w^.^v^a^.^g^o^v^/^budg^e^t^/^s^um^m^a^r^y^/²⁰⁰^9/
^Vol^u^m^e^_3-^B^e^ne^f^its^_a^nd_B^ur^ia^l_^a^nd_D^e^p^t^_^A^d^mⁱ^n.pdf^.

For FY2007, OMB reported a rehabilitation rate of 73% for all disabled veterans in the VR&E
program; the rehabilitation rate for serious employment handicaps was also reported to be 73%.
Only 75% of those who are entitled to VR&E benefits actually sign up for the program. The
average actual amount spent on a program participant in FY2007 was $8,856, more than the ³³
projected average cost of $8,000.
As shown in Table 1, in FY2006, from a pool of 57, 856 applicants, 63.1% or 36,513 disabled
veterans were found to be entitled to VR&E services, and there were 52,982 participants in the ³⁴
VR&E program. The number of disabled veterans who were successfully rehabilitated by the
end of the FY2006 program year was 12,062. Of this number, the total number of male and
female veterans with serious employment handicaps that were rehabilitated in FY2006 was ³⁵

6,552.

Table 1. Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program Statistics, FY2006
^{VR&E Category}^Male^Female^Total
^Applicants^47,9⁶¹^9,89⁵^57,8⁵⁶
^{Denied Eligibil}^ity^2,78⁰⁶³⁵^3,42⁵
^{Denied Entitlement}⁷³²^1,15²^1,88⁴
^{Entitled to Services}^29,6⁷⁰^6,84³^36,5¹³
^Participants^40,3⁵⁵^12,6²⁷^52,9⁸²
^{Rehabilitated}^9,74⁴^2,31⁸^12,0⁶²
^Source:^{Table pr}^epared^{by t}^he^{Congressional Research Service (}^{CRS) using data from the Depa}^rt^{ment of}
^{Veterans Affairs,}^{Veterans Benefits}^{Administration Annual Benefi}^{ts Rep}^{ort, Fiscal Year 2006}^{. Available at}
^{http://www.vba.va.gov/reports/}²⁰^06_abr_v^2.pdf.
The life cycle of one VR&E case may be four or more years from application to eligibility,
entitlement, rehabilitation planning, achievement of rehabilitation goals, and finally,
rehabilitation.

In the 110^th Congress, the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity held a hearing on July 10, 2008, on the Independent Living Program. The main
concern expressed by witnesses about the program concerned the annual fiscal year cap (2,500)
on new participants in the program. Witnesses stated that the program was needed and that the
cap hindered the ability of the VA to provide services to disabled veterans. In addition to the
hearing witnesses, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the VA noted in an audit of the
VR&E program operations, although the number of veterans entering the IL program in FY2006

³³^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^w^w^.^w^hite^hous^e^.^g^o^v^/^om^b/e^x^pe^c^t^m^o^re^/^d^e^t^a^il/¹⁰⁰³²²^0.²⁰^06.^htm^l^.
³⁴^P^a^rtⁱ^cⁱ^p^an^t^s^{are vet}^e^ran^s^w^h^o^{are recei}^viⁿ^g^{a su}^b^sⁱ^s^t^eⁿ^{ce al}^l^o^w^aⁿ^c^{e i}ⁿ^on^{e o}^f^t^h^{e f}^o^l^l^o^wⁱⁿ^{g case st}^at^u^s^es:^ext^eⁿ^d^e^d
^e^v^a^l^ua^{tion, i}^nde^pe^ndeⁿ^t^liv^ing^,^j^o^{b r}^e^a^d^y^,^or^r^e^ha^bili^ta^tio^{n to}^e^m^ploy^m^e^nt.
³⁵^“Reh^ab^ilitated^”^m^ean^{s v}^e^ter^aⁿ^s^w^h^o^h^a^v^e^su^ccess^f^u^l^l^y^f^ound^aⁿ^d^m^a^inta^ine^d^s^uⁱ^t^a^b^le^e^m^ploy^m^e^{nt or}^ha^v^e
^su^ccess^f^u^l^l^y^co^m^p^l^e^t^e^d^anⁱⁿ^d^e^p^eⁿ^d^eⁿ^t^lⁱ^vⁱⁿ^{g p}^r^o^g^ram^.

did not exceed the cap, this may have occurred because anticipating exceeding the cap delayed ³⁶
entry of entitled veterans into the program.
The Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 2008 (P.L. 100-389) made changes to the IL
program. P.L. 110-389 increased the annual cap on participants to 2,600 and provided that a
veteran with a severe disability incurred or aggravated in post-9/11 service may be granted a
waiver of the 24-month limitation on program services. The legislation also required the
Secretary of the VA to conduct a study on measures to encourage veterans to complete their
vocational rehabilitation plans and, subject to fund availability, perform a longitudinal study (of at
least 20 years) for three groups of veterans (those beginning to participate in a vocational
rehabilitation program in 2010, 2012, and 2014).

Apart from the VR&E program, other federal agencies administer programs that provide services
to help veterans to achieve an employment outcome, that is, to obtain competitive employment.
VR&E has signed Memorandums of Understandings (MOUs) and formed partnerships with other
organizations whose services frequently overlap, representing joint efforts to increase
opportunities for rehabilitated veterans to become employed. In addition, each branch of the
military has a program to support its disabled veterans, and many veterans services organizations
(VSOs) provide services to disabled veterans as well.
Listed below are some programs that provide rehabilitation or other services to veterans with
brief descriptions and contact information. Links to many of these programs are provided from
the VR&E program section of the VA website.

The CAP program provides assistive technology and services to people with disabilities, federal
managers, supervisors, Internet technology (IT) professionals, and wounded servicemembers.
Accommodations are made for servicemembers with vision or hearing loss, dexterity impairments
(including upper-extremity amputees), and communication and cognitive difficulties, including
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). These services are available as a part of the DOD Military Health ³⁷
System’s Tricare program.

³⁶^D^e^pa^r^t^m^e^{nt of}^Ve^te^r^a^ns^A^f^f^a^ir^s^,^O^f^fⁱ^ce^of^the^Iⁿ^s^p^e^c^t^or^G^e^ne^r^a^l,^A^udit^of^Voc^a^tio^nal^Re^ha^bili^tati^on^and^Em^pl^oy^m^e^nt
^Pr^ogr^am^O^p^e^r^ati^ons^,^Re^p^o^r^t^N^o^.⁰⁶^-⁰⁰⁴⁹³^-⁴²^,^Decem^b^e^{r 1}⁷^,²⁰^07,^p^.¹¹^.^A^v^ai^l^a^b^l^{e at}^h^t^t^p^:^/^/^www^.^v^a.^go^v/^oⁱ^g/⁵²^/
^r^e^por^ts^/²⁰⁰^8/^VA^O^I^G^-^06-⁰⁰⁴⁹^3-⁴²^.p^df^.
³⁷^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://tric^a^r^e^.^m^il/c^a^p^/w^s^m^/.

The Rehabilitative Services Administration (RSA) oversees grant programs that help individuals
with mental or physical disabilities obtain employment and live more independently through the
provision of such support as counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and
other individualized services. RSA’s major Title I formula grant program provides funds to state
vocational rehabilitation (SVR) agencies to provide employment-related services to individuals
with disabilities, giving priority to persons who are significantly disabled. In FY2004, RSA ³⁸
provided services to 29,135 veterans.
The DOL’s Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) falls under the President’s ³⁹
National Hire Veterans Committee. The mission of VETS is to provide veterans and
transitioning servicemembers with the resources and services to succeed in the workforce by
maximizing their employment opportunities, protecting their employment rights, and meeting
labor market demands with qualified veterans. VETS administers the HireVetsFirst program to
(1) furnish employers with information about the training and skills of veterans and disabled
veterans and the advantages afforded employers by hiring veterans with such training and skills
and (2) facilitate employment of veterans and disabled veterans through participation in ⁴⁰
America’s national labor exchange and other means.
The DOL also has a link from its website to a recruiting firm, RecruitMilitary, which focuses on
matching military veterans and their spouses with employers around the world. RecruitMilitary ⁴¹
lists more than 6,000 employers on its website.
The VR&E partners with the DOD and the DOL through DTAP to allow disabled
servicemembers to gain information and assistance with the transition from military to civilian
life prior to their separation from military service.
Through the VR&E, the Compensated Work Therapy Program administered by the DOL brings
transitional and permanent jobs to veterans who are returning to the workforce after medical ⁴²
rehabilitation. The program combines work and training for new job skills.

³⁸^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^.^e^d.g^o^v^/^a^bou^t/^offⁱ^c^e^s^/^list/ose^rs/ra^s^.
³⁹^J^obs^f^o^r^Ve^te^r^a^ns^A^c^{t (}^P^.L^{. 1}^07-²⁸⁸⁾^;^c^u^r^r^eⁿ^tly^c^odifⁱ^e^d^a^t^{38 U}^.^S^.^C^.^§⁴¹⁰⁰^.
⁴⁰^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^.dol.g^ov^/v^e^t^s/^aⁿ^d^htt^p^://w^ww^.hire^v^e^t^s^f^irst^.g^ov^.
⁴¹^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://re^c^r^uitm^ilita^ry^.c^om^.
⁴²^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^1.va^.g^ov^/^V^e^tin^d/.

The VA administers the NVEP to help veterans understand and use veterans’ preference and other
hiring flexibilities to get jobs in the federal government, including the VA. The program promotes
the hiring of veterans by federal managers and supervisors. It also educates selecting officials on
veterans’ preferences and federal hiring authorities developed to help veterans gain federal ⁴³
employment.
Most federal departments and agencies are required to have an affirmative action program for the
recruitment, employment, and advancement of disabled veterans. Agencies develop Disabled
Veterans Affirmative Action Programs (DVAAPs) and must submit accomplishment reports to the
OPM reporting their efforts to promote the maximum employment and job advancement
opportunities for disabled veterans. OPM provides guidance and assistance to agencies on the
preparation of their DVAAPs and presents an annual report to Congress on the employment of ⁴⁴
veterans in the federal government.
In partnership with the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), the SBA
provides entrepreneurial training to qualified service-connected disabled veterans who are VR&E
participants. The mission of SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development is to maximize the
availability, applicability, and usability of all Small Business Administration programs for
veterans, service-disabled veterans, Reserve component members, and their dependents and
survivors. The SBA provides grants to Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) programs that
assist disabled veterans with funding, counseling, mentoring, training, procurement, service ⁴⁵
delivery, business development, and government certification.

The Air Force, through its Palace HART program, helps Air Force personnel who have been
medically separated from active duty receive transition services by ensuring that they have
complete information about entitlements that are due to them. When an airman enters the
disability evaluation process, the Air Force Personnel Center Field Activities Division
(AFPC/DPFF) begins tracking him or her for Palace HART eligibility. Once the airman is
medically separated as a result of service-related injuries, Palace HART Family Support Centers
provide transition services, including individual pre-separation counseling and assistance in
obtaining all authorized service from the Air Force, the DOD, the VA, and the Department of

⁴³^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^.^v^a^.^g^o^v^/^nv^e^p^/.
⁴⁴^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^.op^m^.g^o^v^/v^e^t^e^r^aⁿ^s/dv^a^a^p^.a^sp.
⁴⁵^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^w^w^.^s^ba^.g^ov^/a^bouts^b^s^/^s^b^a^p^rog^r^a^m^s^/^ov^bd/^inde^x^.^htm^l^.

Labor (DOL). The program assists with the initial filing of VA disability claims, extended five-
year case management follow-up, and employment placement assistance and counseling. The ⁴⁶
goal is to help wounded Air Force veterans transfer back to civilian life.
Veterans disabled in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom who are
accepted into the EBV program of the Army Career and Alumni Program can receive free training
in entrepreneurship and small business management, as well as support in growing a successful
business from the business school faculties of four U.S. universities: Whitman School of
Management at Syracuse University; the College of Business at Florida State University; UCLA
Anderson School of Management; and Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Eligible ⁴⁷
veterans may go online to apply for ACAP services.
The Always a Soldier program provides service-connected disabled veterans with opportunities to
seek employment, career advancement, job mobility, family economic well-being, and greater
financial security. Specific employment tracks include the following:
• federal wage grade positions involving trades and labor;
• internship programs providing monitored or supervised work or training
experience with learning goals; and
• various federal general schedule (GS) series full performance positions.
The Always a Soldier program partners with existing Army programs (such as Disabled Soldier
Services and Army Community Service), the VA, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) ⁴⁸
organization.
The goal of the M4L-IS Program is to provide needs-based individual support to combat-
wounded Marines and sailors from the time of injury through the post-discharge transition period
(up to one year after release from active duty) until they are fully integrated into the VA system.
The program’s features include pre-and post-service separation case assistance; coordination with
physical evaluation boards; coordination with veterans, public, and private organizations
providing support to the seriously injured; and provision of referral services for disability specific ⁴⁹
information and mental health services.

⁴⁶^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^.^a^f^.^m^il.
⁴⁷^A^v^ailab^l^{e at h}^ttp^://acap^.army^.^mⁱ^l^an^d^h^t^t^p^://w^ww^.^acap^ex^p^r^es^s.ar^my^.^m^il.
⁴⁸^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^.^a^m^c^.a^r^m^y^.^m^il/^a^l^wa^y^s^a^s^oldie^r^.
⁴⁹^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^.^m^fl.usm^c^.^m^il.

The Navy Personnel Command website has links to a number of employment services for
veterans and disabled veterans, including those of the DOL and others such as the DOL’s Office ⁵⁰
of Disability Employment Program (ODEP) and State Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
The AW2 program tracks soldiers and their families for five years after medical retirement. Army
Wounded Warriors must suffer from injuries or illnesses incurred after September 11, 2001, in ⁵¹
support of the Global War on Terror and receive a 30% disability rating for one or more ⁵²
injuries.
In response to the recommendations of the 2004 Task Force report, the VR&E has endeavored to
develop an integrated working relationship with a wide range of organizations, such as the
Centers for Independent Living; the National Council on Disability, the National Council on
Independent Living, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and the
National Organization of Disability Examining Physicians. The VR&E has also increased
interaction with the vocational rehabilitation activities of academic organizations and private
sector disability, rehabilitation, and employment firms and associations.
The VR&E maintains strategic partnerships with private sector companies such as the Home
Depot, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and faith-based organizations such as the YMCA,
Goodwill Industries International, and Disabled Sports to achieve the goal of integrated and
seamless delivery of services to disabled veterans.

⁵⁰^{See h}^t^t^p^://w^ww^.n^p^c^.n^av^y^.^m^il/^Co^mman^d^S^u^p^p^o^r^t^/^S^afeHarb^o^r^/SH_^J^o^b^P^lacem^en^t.h^t^m^.
⁵¹^C^oⁿ^d^iti^ons^a^r^e^ba^s^e^d^on^the^VA^Sc^he^dule^f^o^r^Dⁱ^s^a^bil^ity^R^a^ting^s⁽^V^A^S^D^R⁾²⁰^{03 C}^.^F.R^.³⁸^C^h^a^p^te^r^1,^P^a^r^t^{4 a}^s^us^e^d
^by^the^{U.S. A}^r^m^y^P^h^y^s^ic^a^l^Disa^bi^lity^A^g^eⁿ^c^y^(USP^DA^).
⁵²^A^v^a^ila^ble^a^t^http^://w^ww^.^a^w²^.a^r^m^y^.^m^il.

Category I. Below is the monthly allowance paid for training in an institution of higher learning.
Table A-1. Monthly Allowance, Category I
^Training^{No Dependents}^{One Dependent}^{Two Dependents}^Each^Additional
^Time^($)^($)^($)^{Dependent ($)}
^Full-time^541.⁰⁵^671.¹³^790.⁸⁷^57.6⁵
^¾-time^406.⁵³^504.⁰⁷^591.²⁸^44.3³
^½-time²⁷^2.02^337.⁰³^396.¹⁷^29.5⁸
Category II. The monthly allowance paid while receiving full-time training in non-pay, or
nominal pay on-the-job training in a federal, state, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe
agency; training in the home; and vocational training in a rehabilitation facility or sheltered
workshop is shown in the table below.
Table A-2. Monthly Allowance, Category II
^Training^{No Dependents}^{One Dependent}^{Two Dependents}^Each^Additional
^Time^($)^($)^($)^{Dependent ($)}
^Full-time^541.⁰⁵^671.¹³^790.⁸⁷^57.6⁵
Category III. A monthly subsistence allowance is paid for non-pay or nominal pay work
experience in a federal, state, local, or federally recognized Indian tribe agency. The rates are
shown below.
Table A-3. Monthly Allowance, Category III
^Training^{No Dependents}^{One Dependent}^{Two Dependents}^Each^Additional
^Time^($)^($)^($)^{Dependent ($)}
^Full-time^541.⁰⁵^671.¹³^790.⁸⁷^57.6⁵
^¾-time^406.⁵³^504.⁰⁷^591.²⁸^44.3³
^½-time^272.⁰²^337.⁰³^396.¹⁷^29.5⁸
Category IV. For full-time training only in farm cooperative, apprenticeship, and other on-the-
job training, a monthly subsistence allowance is paid. These payments are variable based on
wages received. The maximum rates are given below.

Table A-4. Monthly Allowance, Category IV
^Training^{No Dependents}^{One Dependent}^{Two Dependents}^Each^Additional
^Time^($)^($)^($)^{Dependent ($)}
^Full-time^473.⁰⁵^572.⁰⁶^659.³⁰^42.8⁹
Category V. Veterans who receive greater than half-time training in a combined institutional and
on-the-job training program receive the following monthly subsistence allowance.
Table A-5. Monthly Allowance, Category V
^Training^{No Dependents}^{One Dependent}^{Two Dependents}^Each^Additional
^Time^($)^($)^($)^{Dependent ($)}
^{Institutional}^541.⁰⁵^671.¹³^790.⁸⁷^57.8⁵
^On-the-Job^473.⁰⁵^572.⁰⁶^659.³⁰^42.8⁹
Category VI. Veterans enrolled in a rehabilitation facility and pursuing an approved independent
living program are paid a monthly subsistence allowance. Rates are given below.
Table A-6. Monthly Allowance, Category VI
^Training^{No Dependents}^{One Dependent}^{Two Dependents}^Each^Additional
^Time^($)^($)^($)^{Dependent ($)}
^Full-time^541.⁰⁵^671.¹³^790.⁸⁷^57.6⁵
^¾-time^406.⁵³^504.⁰⁷^591.²⁸^44.3³
^½-time^272.⁰²^337.⁰³^396.¹⁷^29.5⁸
Category VII. When veterans are enrolled in a rehabilitation facility and require extended
evaluation, a monthly subsistence allowance is paid at the following rates.
Table A-7. Monthly Allowance, Category VII
^Training^{No Dependents}^{One Dependent}^{Two Dependents}^Each^Additional
^Time^($)^($)^($)^{Dependent ($)}
^Full-time^541.⁰⁵^671.¹³^790.⁸⁷^57.6⁵
^¾-time^406.⁵³^504.⁰⁷^591.²⁸^44.3³
^½-time^272.⁰²^337.⁰³^396.¹⁷^29.5⁸
^¼-time^135.⁹⁹^168.⁵³^198.⁰⁷^14.7⁵
^Source:^{Tables p}^repar^{ed by t}^he^{Congressional Research Service (}^{CRS) using data from the Depa}^rt^{ment of}
^{Veterans Affairs, Vetera}^{ns Bene}^{fit Administration, Vocati}^{onal Rehabilitati}^{on & Employme}^{nt Service,}^{VA Training}
^{Programs Subsistence Allowance Ra}^{te Increase as of October 1, 2008}^,^{available at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/}^sa/
^08/^safy09_rate^s.doc.

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