Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
VA can help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. For veterans with serious service-connected disabilities, VA also offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E;) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, USC, Chapter 31 and Code of Federal Regulations, Part 21. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program.
This program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, this program offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.
Eligibility
Active Duty Service Members are eligible if they:
- Expect to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty
- Obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA
- Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E;) services
Veterans are eligible if they:
- Have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable
- Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
- Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E;) services
BASIC PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY
The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E; services may be used is 12 years from the latter of the following:
Date of separation from active military service
OR
Date that the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROCESS
A VA Veteran who is eligible for an evaluation under Chapter 31 must first apply for services and receive an appointment with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). This process can be started by contacting the Clark County Veterans Office to schedule an appointment. The VRC will work with the Veteran to determine if an employment handicap exists as a result of his or her service connected disability.
If an employment handicap is established and the Veteran is found entitled to services, the VRC and the Veteran will continue counseling to select a track of services and jointly develop a plan to address the Veteran’s rehabilitation and employment needs.
The rehabilitation plan will specify an employment or independent living goal, identify intermediate goals, and outline services and resources that VA will provide to assist the Veteran to achieve his / her goals. The VRC and the Veteran will work together to implement the plan to assist the Veteran to achieve his or her employment and / or independent living goals.
NON-ELIGIBLE REFERRAL
If a Veteran is found not to be entitled to services, the CVSO will help him or her locate other resources to address any rehabilitation and employment needs identified during the evaluation.
Referral to other resources may include state vocational rehabilitation programs; Department of Labor employment programs for disabled veterans; state, federal or local agencies providing services for employment or small business development; internet-based resources for rehabilitation and employment; and information about applying for financial aid.