Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), also called Chapter 31, is a separate benefit from the GI Bill and is governed by 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 and 38 CFR Part 21. Being rated 100 percent, including 100 percent permanent and total (P&T) or TDIU, does not automatically disqualify you. VR&E eligibility depends on having a service-connected disability rated at least 20 percent (or 10 percent in certain cases) and being found to have an employment handicap, meaning your service-connected condition(s) impair your ability to prepare for, obtain, or keep suitable employment. Many veterans rated 100 percent for PTSD still qualify, especially if they want to work in some capacity or need help identifying work compatible with their limitations; a VR&E counselor makes that determination during your evaluation, not the disability rating alone.
The process generally starts with submitting VA Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation, either online through VA.gov or at a Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment office. After you apply, you are scheduled for an initial interview with a VR&E counselor, who reviews your service-connected conditions, education and work history, and interests. If you're found eligible and have an employment handicap, the counselor works with you to develop an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) that lays out your chosen program, whether that's a degree, certificate, on-the-job training, or another path, along with the goals and benefits (tuition, fees, books, supplies, and a monthly subsistence allowance) tied to that plan.
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 →Timelines vary considerably by regional office workload, how quickly you can attend the initial appointment, and how long it takes to finalize an achievable employment goal and get the school or program approved. There is no fixed, universal number of weeks or months that applies to everyone, so it's worth asking your assigned counselor directly for their current local timeline once your case is open, and following up if you don't hear back within a reasonable period. Applying early, well before your intended enrollment term, gives more buffer for the evaluation and plan-development steps to be completed before classes start.
The concrete next step is to submit VA Form 28-1900 now, either online or through your nearest VR&E office, so your entitlement evaluation and enrollment timeline can begin as soon as possible.
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