How long does VR&E take to approve or deny a redevelopment plan?

There is no single fixed statutory timeline for how long a VR&E counselor must take to approve or deny a redevelopment plan (a change to an existing Chapter 31 rehabilitation plan, such as switching schools or adding certifications while keeping the same vocational goal). Chapter 31 benefits are governed by 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 and 38 CFR Part 21, but these authorities set out eligibility criteria and plan requirements rather than a mandated number of days for review. In practice, processing time depends on the individual VR&E counselor's caseload, the complexity of the requested change, whether additional documentation or justification is needed (such as updated vocational goals, school enrollment paperwork, or cost comparisons), and the order in which plans were submitted, since counselors often work through requests sequentially rather than by urgency.

Because a redevelopment plan amends an existing Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP), the counselor generally needs to confirm that the new school and certifications are consistent with the approved vocational goal, that the change is feasible within benefit entitlement limits, and that any additional costs are justified. If the change is substantial, the counselor may need supervisor or higher-level review before finalizing it, which can add time. Delays of several weeks are not unusual, especially during high-volume periods (such as around new academic terms), but veterans should not assume a plan will be denied just because review is taking a while.

If the wait is extending into a new semester or enrollment deadline, it is reasonable to request a written status update from the counselor and ask whether anything additional is needed to complete the review. If there is no response within a reasonable time after a direct follow-up, veterans can contact the VR&E officer at the servicing Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment office, or escalate to the VA's VR&E call center or the regional office's VR&E division for a status check. Keeping all communications in writing and documenting submission dates helps if an appeal or expedited review becomes necessary later.

The concrete next step is to follow up in writing with the VR&E counselor requesting a specific status update and timeline, and if there is no response, contact the VR&E officer at the local VA regional office to request escalation.