Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) covers tutorial assistance as part of an approved rehabilitation plan, but the specific vendor or format is not fixed by statute — it is something negotiated with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). Tutor.com is commonly offered first because it is a standing VA contract resource that requires no additional authorization paperwork, which is why many counselors default to it. If that resource is not actually accessible (no-shows, no tutors in your subject, scheduling failures), you have a right to ask that this be documented and that an alternative be considered.
The path to private 1:1 tutoring is to formally request a plan amendment, not just ask informally. Put the request in writing (email is fine) to your VRC, stating specifically: the course, the learning disability and/or TBI-related functional limitations affecting that course, the dates and nature of the tutor.com failures, and that school-provided free tutoring has already been exhausted. Ask that the file reflect this and that VA authorize an outside tutor under 38 CFR 21.198, which allows VR&E to pay for tutorial assistance as a supply or service needed to carry out the rehabilitation plan when it's reasonably necessary. Counselors can authorize private tutors with proper justification, including cost comparison and proof that the standard resource is inadequate; this typically requires an invoice or agreement from the tutor and prior authorization before sessions begin, since VA generally does not reimburse for services obtained without prior approval.
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 →If your VRC continues to only point you back to tutor.com without addressing the documented failures, you can ask to speak with the VRC's supervisor or the VR&E Officer at the regional office, and request a formal plan review. Disability-related accommodation requests tied to a documented TBI or learning disability carry more weight when framed as medically necessary for completing a required core course, so having your disability and functional limitations noted in your file (or supported by a letter from your school's disability services office) strengthens the request. Keep a log of every tutor.com failure (dates, times, what happened) since VR&E decisions on supply/service authorizations are supposed to be grounded in documented need.
As a next step, send your VRC a written, dated request for a plan amendment authorizing private tutoring, attach your log of tutor.com failures and any disability documentation, and if there is no response within a reasonable time, escalate in writing to the VR&E Officer at your regional office.
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