VR&E, also known as Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, is designed to help veterans with a service-connected disability that creates an employment handicap pursue training toward a suitable, attainable vocational goal. The program does not maintain a fixed list of approved or banned occupations. Instead, each veteran works with an assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) who evaluates the individual's disabilities, transferable skills, interests, and local labor market conditions to determine whether a proposed goal, such as earning a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or a more extensive UAS/drone operations certification, is feasible and suitable.
In practice, this means drone pilot training can be approved under VR&E if the counselor agrees it meets program criteria: it must lead to an identifiable employment outcome, be reasonably likely to result in suitable employment given the veteran's medical and physical limitations, and typically must be pursued through an approved training provider or institution recognized by the VA. Some veterans have used VR&E funding for FAA Part 107 prep courses, drone piloting associate degree or certificate programs, or longer UAS technology programs at VA-approved schools. Because approval depends heavily on the individual's file, functional limitations, and the counselor's judgment about labor market viability in the veteran's area, outcomes vary significantly from one case to another, and no blanket guarantee exists that a given VRC will approve this specific path.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →The process generally starts with applying for VR&E using VA Form 28-1900, after which an eligibility and entitlement determination is made under 38 CFR Part 21. If found eligible, the veteran meets with a VRC to develop an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) that specifies the training program, school, and benefits authorized. Veterans considering drone piloting should research specific VA-approved training providers in advance and be ready to explain how the certification connects to a realistic, sustainable career given their service-connected condition.
The concrete next step is to raise the drone pilot training goal directly with your VR&E counselor, bringing information on specific accredited programs or FAA-recognized courses, so they can assess feasibility and, if appropriate, incorporate it into your Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan.
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