When a Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 / 38 CFR Part 21) counselor goes quiet after orientation, there is a standard escalation path, because individual counselors can have heavy caseloads and slow response times, but the VA regional VR&E office is still required to move your plan forward once you have an assigned case manager.
First, try contacting the VR&E case manager directly through the VA.gov secure messaging system rather than only by phone or the office line — messages sent through your VA.gov account create a timestamped record and are often answered faster than voicemails. If there is no response within a reasonable window, call the VA regional office that houses the San Diego VR&E unit and ask specifically to speak to the counselor's supervisor or the VR&E Officer, not the general call center, since the general 1-800-827-1000 line usually cannot access VR&E case notes.
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 phone and email both stall, use the IRIS system (Inquiry Routing & Information System) on VA.gov to submit a written request for status, referencing the veteran's or dependent's file number and stating the enrollment deadline. A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) — through DAV, VFW, American Legion, or a county veterans service office — can also contact VR&E on your behalf and frequently has direct lines that speed things up. If the deadline is truly urgent, contacting your U.S. Representative's or Senator's constituent services office for a congressional inquiry is a legitimate and often effective option; VA offices are required to respond to these promptly.
Separately, ask the school's financial aid or veterans certifying official whether they can grant a short provisional extension while the VR&E clearance is pending, since schools sometimes have flexibility even when policy says a deadline is firm. Keep written records of every call, email, and IRIS ticket, including dates and names, since this documentation helps if you need to show a pattern of nonresponse when escalating further.
The concrete next step is to submit a written status request through VA.gov's IRIS system today, and simultaneously reach out to a local VSO to request they contact the San Diego VR&E office directly on your behalf.
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