VA Form 28-1900

Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehab (VR&E)Official VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Education & Training

Estimated time

20-30 minutes.

When to file

After receiving any service-connected disability rating. VR&E has a 12-year delimiting period from the date of VA's discharge notification or final VA decision, whichever is later.

You have a service-connected disability (generally 10%+ rating or with an employment handicap) and need vocational rehabilitation, job training, or employment assistance beyond what GI Bill provides.

Gather before you start

—VA service-connected disability rating (any rating qualifies with employment handicap; 20%+ qualifies automatically)

—Current employment situation (employed, unemployed, underemployed)

—Education and training history

—Current job or career goals

—DD-214 if not on file

Attach with the form

—VA rating decision (if available)

—DD-214 (if not on file with VA)

Section I - Veteran Identification

1 field

Blocks 1-6Name, SSN, VA File Number, DOB, address, phonePII

Your identifying information. Include VA File Number from your rating decision. A VR&E counselor will be assigned based on your location.

Example

(legal name, SSN, VA file number)

Common mistakes

Not knowing VR&E is for veterans with SC disabilities, not just those with GI Bill - different program, different entitlement.
Waiting too long - 12-year delimiting period applies from separation notification.

Section II - Disability Information

1 field · 1 citation

Blocks 7-10SC disability rating and employment handicap

Report your current VA disability rating. VR&E is available to veterans rated 10%+ with an employment handicap (the SC disability affects ability to obtain or maintain employment), or 20%+ regardless of employment status. If you have no rating yet but have a pending claim, you can still apply and VA will determine eligibility later.

Example

e.g., Total combined SC rating: 60%. Employment handicap: PTSD and lumbar DDD prevent sustained concentration and physical labor.

Common mistakes

Not applying because you think you need a high rating - 10% with an employment handicap qualifies.
Not knowing about Independent Living (IL) track for veterans unable to pursue gainful employment.

Authority

38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.

Related ClaimRecon tools

Rating Calculator - Calculate your combined rating to confirm 20%+ VR&E eligibility.

Section III - Employment and Training Goals

1 field

Blocks 11-14Current employment situation and career/training goals

Describe your current job or lack of employment. Briefly describe your career goals or the type of work you want to do. VR&E counselors will help you develop a formal rehabilitation plan (using VA Form 28-1902) after this initial application.

Example

e.g., Currently unemployed due to PTSD and back injury. Goal: become a data analyst or IT professional. Interested in certification programs rather than a 4-year degree.

Common mistakes

Being vague - specific career interests help the VR&E counselor identify appropriate training programs.
Not mentioning interest in entrepreneurship if applicable - self-employment is one of VR&E's 5 tracks.

Section IV - Certification

1 field

Blocks 15-16Veteran signature and datePII

Sign and date. Apply online at va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/apply-vre-form-28-1900 if possible.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Not knowing VR&E can provide benefits on top of GI Bill in some cases - ask your VR&E counselor about combining benefits.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.

38 CFR 21.282 - Sets the effective date of a veteran's induction into a Chapter 31 (VR&E) rehabilitation program, including retroactive induction.

38 USC 3101 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) basic entitlement for SC veterans with employment handicap.

VA Form 28-1900

Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehab (VR&E)Official VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Education & Training

Estimated time

20-30 minutes.

When to file

After receiving any service-connected disability rating. VR&E has a 12-year delimiting period from the date of VA's discharge notification or final VA decision, whichever is later.

You have a service-connected disability (generally 10%+ rating or with an employment handicap) and need vocational rehabilitation, job training, or employment assistance beyond what GI Bill provides.

Gather before you start

—VA service-connected disability rating (any rating qualifies with employment handicap; 20%+ qualifies automatically)

—Current employment situation (employed, unemployed, underemployed)

—Education and training history

—Current job or career goals

—DD-214 if not on file

Attach with the form

—VA rating decision (if available)

—DD-214 (if not on file with VA)

Section I - Veteran Identification

1 field

Blocks 1-6Name, SSN, VA File Number, DOB, address, phonePII

Your identifying information. Include VA File Number from your rating decision. A VR&E counselor will be assigned based on your location.

Example

(legal name, SSN, VA file number)

Common mistakes

Not knowing VR&E is for veterans with SC disabilities, not just those with GI Bill - different program, different entitlement.
Waiting too long - 12-year delimiting period applies from separation notification.

Section II - Disability Information

1 field · 1 citation

Blocks 7-10SC disability rating and employment handicap

Example

e.g., Total combined SC rating: 60%. Employment handicap: PTSD and lumbar DDD prevent sustained concentration and physical labor.

Common mistakes

Not applying because you think you need a high rating - 10% with an employment handicap qualifies.
Not knowing about Independent Living (IL) track for veterans unable to pursue gainful employment.

Authority

38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.

Related ClaimRecon tools

Rating Calculator - Calculate your combined rating to confirm 20%+ VR&E eligibility.

Section III - Employment and Training Goals

1 field

Blocks 11-14Current employment situation and career/training goals

Example

e.g., Currently unemployed due to PTSD and back injury. Goal: become a data analyst or IT professional. Interested in certification programs rather than a 4-year degree.

Common mistakes

Being vague - specific career interests help the VR&E counselor identify appropriate training programs.
Not mentioning interest in entrepreneurship if applicable - self-employment is one of VR&E's 5 tracks.

Section IV - Certification

1 field

Blocks 15-16Veteran signature and datePII

Sign and date. Apply online at va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/apply-vre-form-28-1900 if possible.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Not knowing VR&E can provide benefits on top of GI Bill in some cases - ask your VR&E counselor about combining benefits.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.

38 CFR 21.282 - Sets the effective date of a veteran's induction into a Chapter 31 (VR&E) rehabilitation program, including retroactive induction.

38 USC 3101 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) basic entitlement for SC veterans with employment handicap.

VA Form 28-1900

Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehab (VR&E)Official VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Education & Training

Estimated time

20-30 minutes.

When to file

After receiving any service-connected disability rating. VR&E has a 12-year delimiting period from the date of VA's discharge notification or final VA decision, whichever is later.

You have a service-connected disability (generally 10%+ rating or with an employment handicap) and need vocational rehabilitation, job training, or employment assistance beyond what GI Bill provides.

Gather before you start

—VA service-connected disability rating (any rating qualifies with employment handicap; 20%+ qualifies automatically)

—Current employment situation (employed, unemployed, underemployed)

—Education and training history

—Current job or career goals

—DD-214 if not on file

Attach with the form

—VA rating decision (if available)

—DD-214 (if not on file with VA)

Section I - Veteran Identification

1 field

Blocks 1-6Name, SSN, VA File Number, DOB, address, phonePII

Your identifying information. Include VA File Number from your rating decision. A VR&E counselor will be assigned based on your location.

Example

(legal name, SSN, VA file number)

Common mistakes

Not knowing VR&E is for veterans with SC disabilities, not just those with GI Bill - different program, different entitlement.
Waiting too long - 12-year delimiting period applies from separation notification.

Section II - Disability Information

1 field · 1 citation

Blocks 7-10SC disability rating and employment handicap

Example

e.g., Total combined SC rating: 60%. Employment handicap: PTSD and lumbar DDD prevent sustained concentration and physical labor.

Common mistakes

Not applying because you think you need a high rating - 10% with an employment handicap qualifies.
Not knowing about Independent Living (IL) track for veterans unable to pursue gainful employment.

Authority

38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.

Related ClaimRecon tools

Rating Calculator - Calculate your combined rating to confirm 20%+ VR&E eligibility.

Section III - Employment and Training Goals

1 field

Blocks 11-14Current employment situation and career/training goals

Example

e.g., Currently unemployed due to PTSD and back injury. Goal: become a data analyst or IT professional. Interested in certification programs rather than a 4-year degree.

Common mistakes

Being vague - specific career interests help the VR&E counselor identify appropriate training programs.
Not mentioning interest in entrepreneurship if applicable - self-employment is one of VR&E's 5 tracks.

Section IV - Certification

1 field

Blocks 15-16Veteran signature and datePII

Sign and date. Apply online at va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/apply-vre-form-28-1900 if possible.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Not knowing VR&E can provide benefits on top of GI Bill in some cases - ask your VR&E counselor about combining benefits.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.

38 CFR 21.282 - Sets the effective date of a veteran's induction into a Chapter 31 (VR&E) rehabilitation program, including retroactive induction.

38 USC 3101 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) basic entitlement for SC veterans with employment handicap.

VA Form 28-1900

Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehab (VR&E)Official VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Education & Training

Estimated time

20-30 minutes.

When to file

After receiving any service-connected disability rating. VR&E has a 12-year delimiting period from the date of VA's discharge notification or final VA decision, whichever is later.

You have a service-connected disability (generally 10%+ rating or with an employment handicap) and need vocational rehabilitation, job training, or employment assistance beyond what GI Bill provides.

Gather before you start

—VA service-connected disability rating (any rating qualifies with employment handicap; 20%+ qualifies automatically)

—Current employment situation (employed, unemployed, underemployed)

—Education and training history

—Current job or career goals

—DD-214 if not on file

Attach with the form

—VA rating decision (if available)

—DD-214 (if not on file with VA)

Section I - Veteran Identification

1 field

Blocks 1-6Name, SSN, VA File Number, DOB, address, phonePII

Your identifying information. Include VA File Number from your rating decision. A VR&E counselor will be assigned based on your location.

Example

(legal name, SSN, VA file number)

Common mistakes

Not knowing VR&E is for veterans with SC disabilities, not just those with GI Bill - different program, different entitlement.
Waiting too long - 12-year delimiting period applies from separation notification.

Section II - Disability Information

1 field · 1 citation

Blocks 7-10SC disability rating and employment handicap

Example

e.g., Total combined SC rating: 60%. Employment handicap: PTSD and lumbar DDD prevent sustained concentration and physical labor.

Common mistakes

Not applying because you think you need a high rating - 10% with an employment handicap qualifies.
Not knowing about Independent Living (IL) track for veterans unable to pursue gainful employment.

Authority

38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.

Related ClaimRecon tools

Rating Calculator - Calculate your combined rating to confirm 20%+ VR&E eligibility.

Section III - Employment and Training Goals

1 field

Blocks 11-14Current employment situation and career/training goals

Example

e.g., Currently unemployed due to PTSD and back injury. Goal: become a data analyst or IT professional. Interested in certification programs rather than a 4-year degree.

Common mistakes

Being vague - specific career interests help the VR&E counselor identify appropriate training programs.
Not mentioning interest in entrepreneurship if applicable - self-employment is one of VR&E's 5 tracks.

Section IV - Certification

1 field

Blocks 15-16Veteran signature and datePII

Sign and date. Apply online at va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/apply-vre-form-28-1900 if possible.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Not knowing VR&E can provide benefits on top of GI Bill in some cases - ask your VR&E counselor about combining benefits.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.

38 CFR 21.282 - Sets the effective date of a veteran's induction into a Chapter 31 (VR&E) rehabilitation program, including retroactive induction.

38 USC 3101 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) basic entitlement for SC veterans with employment handicap.