The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, authorized under Chapter 31 of Title 38, helps veterans with a service-connected disability rating (and an employment handicap) pursue training, education, or other support toward suitable employment. Before or at your initial evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), it helps to be as organized as possible, since the counselor is trying to establish your eligibility, identify how your disability affects employability, and begin outlining a rehabilitation plan.
Commonly useful documents include your DD214 or other proof of discharge, your VA disability rating decision letter, VA Form 28-1900 (Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation) if you have not already submitted it, any school transcripts, ONet or other vocational/interest assessment results if you have completed them, and admission letters or program information from schools you are interested in attending. If you are already employed, information about your current job duties and how your service-connected condition affects your ability to perform them is also relevant, since VR&E counselors are assessing both employment handicap and the aggravation of your disability by work activities.
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 →During the evaluation, expect questions about your work history, current job (if any), how your disability limits specific job tasks, and whether you are receiving ongoing treatment for the conditions VA has rated. The counselor will also review your VA claims file for consistency between your stated limitations and your medical records. If eligibility is confirmed, the next step is usually the development of an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP), which lays out your chosen goal (such as a specific degree program), the services VR&E will provide, and the timeline.
Outcomes and timelines vary by regional office and by individual counselor caseloads, so it is not possible to say how long the plan-writing or approval process will take in a given case. Being thorough and organized does not guarantee a faster process, but it reduces back-and-forth requests for missing paperwork.
If you have an upcoming VR&E evaluation, contact your assigned VRC beforehand to ask exactly which forms and documents they want submitted in advance, and gather your DD214, rating decision, and any school or vocational documentation ahead of the appointment.
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