Veteran Readiness and Employment: Chapter 31

What is the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

program?

The VR&E program is authorized under Title 38, U.S. Code, Chapter 31. It is referred to
as the Chapter 31 program. It assists entitled Veterans with service-connected
disabilities and an employment handicap to prepare for, obtain, and maintain a job. It
also helps entitled transitioning Servicemembers.

If you are a Servicemember or Veteran with a service-connected disability and not

currently able to work, VR&E also offers services to help you live as independently as
possible.

Basic period of eligibility

There is a 12-year basic period of eligibility for VR&E services. The period begins on the
latter of the following dates:

• Date of separation from active duty

• Date you were first notified of a service-connected disability rating

Who is entitled to receive VR&E services?

Active-duty Servicemembers who:

• Expect to receive an honorable discharge

• Obtain a VA memorandum rating of 20 percent or more
• Are participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or have an
injury or illness that prevents them from performing military duties
 o Servicemembers participating in IDES are presumed entitled
• Are determined by VR&E to need vocational rehabilitation services

Veterans who:

• Have received an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge

• Have a VA service-connected disability rating of:
o 10 percent with a serious employment handicap, or
o 20 percent or more with an employment handicap
• Are determined by VR&E to need rehabilitation services

How is entitlement established?

You are entitled to services if:

• You have a 20 percent service-connected disability AND

• You have an employment handicap

If your service-connected disability is only 10 percent, you must have a serious

employment handicap to be eligible.

A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will work with you to determine

entitlement. The evaluation will:

• Assess your interests, aptitudes and abilities

• Assess your service-connected disability and your ability to hold a job
• Include vocational exploration activities and goal development
o Used to determine suitable employment and maximize independent living
• Explore labor markets and wage information
• Select a VR&E program track
• Develop an individualized rehabilitation plan

Updated June 2020 2

What is a Rehabilitation Plan?

This plan provides a detailed outline of VR&E program services. It is individualized to

meet the needs of the Servicemember or Veteran. The plan is a signed agreement
between the recipient and VA. The following service delivery options may be included in
a rehabilitation plan:

• Re-employment
• Rapid employment services for new employment
• Self-employment
• Employment through long-term services
• Independent living services

What other benefits may be provided?

After the plan is enacted, the VRC will provide ongoing counseling, assistance and
coordination of services. These include:

• Tutorial assistance
• Job-seeking skills training
• Medical and dental referrals to the Veterans Health Administration
• Adjustment counseling
• Payment of training allowance
• Other services required to help achieve a career and live as independently as
possible

How can you apply?

• Apply online:
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/about/feature?feature=vocational-
rehabilitation-and-employment
• Fill out VA Form 28-1900, “Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational
Rehabilitation” (You can find the form at
https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-28-1900-are.pdf. Mail the form to your
closest VA Regional Office.)

Updated June 2020 3

For more information:

• Connect with your local VA Regional Office to speak with a VR&E representative. You
can find your closest VA Regional Office here:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp
• Call 800-827-1000
• Visit https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/

FT Belvoir SRU VR&E POC:

Mrs. Valerie Smith

VR&E / IDES Counselor
Department of Veterans Affairs
Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060
valerie.smith11@va.gov
Office Phone: (571) 231-7009

Office Hours are 10am to 3pm on

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Updated June 2020 4

Attachment A

MILITARY REQUEST: Veteran Readiness & Employment

(VR&E) Services

TO: Department of Veterans Affairs, VR&E (28)

SUBJ: Request for VA VR&E Services
RE:
Name _________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Phone _________________________________________________

SSN or Service Number _____________________________________

Branch of Service __________________________________________

The above-referenced individual may be medically unfit to perform the duties of

his or her office, grade, rank, or rating due to the following injury or illness
incurred in the line of duty:

________________________________________________________________
(list medical condition(s) or attach medical documentation)
Referred by:
Febo-Colon Jesus M
________________________________ Transition Coordinator
____________________________
Name Title

________________________________ _____________
Signature Date
jesus.m.febocolon.civ@health.mil / 571-231-5182
______________________________________________________________
Contact information (phone and/or email)

1
 AUTHORIZATION FOR DISCLOSURE OF MEDICAL OR DENTAL INFORMATION

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579), the notice informs you of the purpose of the form and how
it will be used. Please read it carefully.
AUTHORITY: Public Law 104-191; E.O. 9397 (SSAN); DoD 6025.18-R.
PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): This form is to provide the Military Treatment Facility/Dental Treatment Facility/TRICARE Health Plan
with a means to request the use and/or disclosure of an individual's protected health information.
ROUTINE USE(S): To any third party or the individual upon authorization for the disclosure from the individual for: personal
use; insurance; continued medical care; school; legal; retirement/separation; or other reasons.
DISCLOSURE: Voluntary. Failure to sign the authorization form will result in the non-release of the protected health
information.
This form will not be used for the authorization to disclose alcohol or drug abuse patient information from medical records or
for authorization to disclose information from records of an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program. In addition, any use as
an authorization to use or disclose psychotherapy notes may not be combined with another authorization except one to use or
disclose psychotherapy notes.
SECTION I - PATIENT DATA
1. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial) 2. DATE OF BIRTH (YYYYMMDD) 3. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

4. PERIOD OF TREATMENT: FROM - TO (YYYYMMDD) 5. TYPE OF TREATMENT (X one)

OUTPATIENT INPATIENT BOTH
SECTION II - DISCLOSURE
6. I AUTHORIZE SRU - Occupational Therapist/Transition Coordinator TO RELEASE MY PATIENT INFORMATION TO:
(Name of Facility/TRICARE Health Plan)
a. NAME OF PHYSICIAN, FACILITY, OR TRICARE HEALTH PLAN b. ADDRESS (Street, City, State and ZIP Code)
Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Services 1722 I St. NW
Washington, DC 20421
c. TELEPHONE (Include Area Code) 703-805-0047 d. FAX (Include Area Code) 215-991-1442
7. REASON FOR REQUEST/USE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION (X as applicable)
PERSONAL USE CONTINUED MEDICAL CARE SCHOOL OTHER (Specify)
INSURANCE RETIREMENT/SEPARATION LEGAL
8. INFORMATION TO BE RELEASED
Information in regards to Service members/veterans status in the Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Services Program.
This will include information if contact has been made, if he/she is participating in a program, and if they are currently in a
vocational plan. Information will be used to assist in transitioning out of the service.
9. AUTHORIZATION START DATE (YYYYMMDD) 10. AUTHORIZATION EXPIRATION
DATE (YYYYMMDD) ACTION COMPLETED
SECTION III - RELEASE AUTHORIZATION
I understand that:
a. I have the right to revoke this authorization at any time. My revocation must be in writing and provided to the facility
where my medical records are kept or to the TMA Privacy Officer if this is an authorization for information possessed by the
TRICARE Health Plan rather than an MTF or DTF. I am aware that if I later revoke this authorization, the person(s) I herein
name will have used and/or disclosed my protected information on the basis of this authorization.
b. If I authorize my protected health information to be disclosed to someone who is not required to comply with federal
privacy protection regulations, then such information may be re-disclosed and would no longer be protected.
c. I have a right to inspect and receive a copy of my own protected health information to be used or disclosed, in accordance
with the requirements of the federal privacy protection regulations found in the Privacy Act and 45 CFR s 164.524.
d. The Military Health System (which includes the TRICARE Health Plan) may not condition treatment in MTFs/DTFs, payment
by the TRICARE Health Plan, enrollment in the TRICARE Health Plan or eligibility for TRICARE Health Plan benefits on failure to
obtain this authorization.
I request and authorize the named provider/treatment facility/TRICARE Health Plan to release the information described above
to the named individual/organization indicated.
11. SIGNATURE OF PATIENT/PARENT/LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE 12. RELATIONSHIP TO PATIENT 13. DATE (YYYYMMDD)
(If applicable)

SECTION IV - FOR STAFF USE ONLY (To be completed only upon receipt of written revocation)
14. X IF APPLICABLE: 15. REVOCATION COMPLETED BY 16. DATE (YYYYMMDD)
AUTHORIZATION
REVOKED
17. IMPRINT OF PATIENT IDENTIFICATION PLATE WHEN AVAILABLE
SPONSOR NAME:
SPONSOR RANK:
FMP/SPONSOR SSN:
BRANCH OF SERVICE:
PHONE NUMBER:

DD FORM 2870, DEC 2003

Reset
 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

AUTHORIZATION FOR DISCLOSURE OF MEDICAL OR DENTAL INFORMATION

(DD FORM 2870)

This form is used to allow a TRICARE beneficiary to authorize Health Net Federal Services, LLC (Health
Net) to release protected information to a person or entity of the beneficiary’s choosing.
*This authorization will not apply to alcohol or substance abuse information

Sponsor Social Security Number (SSN):

Please print the Sponsor’s 9-digit SSN on the TOP LEFT of the form, above the word “Authorization”.

Section I: Patient Data

 Complete the beneficiary/patient’s information
 Identify the date range and type of treatment information to be released.

Section II: Disclosure

This section identifies who may release information about the patient to an identified third party or
authorized representative.
 Item 6: Please enter “Health Net/TRICARE”
 Items 6a-6d: Please complete the name and contact information of the authorized representative
(for example: the name and contact information of your spouse or parent).
 Item 7: Identify why the information will be disclosed
 Item 8: You may clarify information related to the date range and/or type of treatment that you wish
to be disclosed
 Item 9: The authorization will be effective the date the form is received.
 Item 10: If a date or event is not provided, the authorization will expire one (1) year from the date it
was received.

Section III: Release Authorization

 Sign and Date the authorization.
 If a patient’s representative signs the authorization, please attach documentation of the
representative’s authority (for example: Custody, Guardianship, Power of attorney, etc).

MAIL or FAX your completed form to:

TRICARE Correspondence
PGBA, LLC
P.O. Box 870141
Surfside Beach, SC 29587-9741
Fax: 1-888-225-3545

IMPORTANT:
This form grants permission for information disclosed by telephone or correspondence about
authorizations/referrals, claims, and enrollment only. It does NOT permit the person to see your claims on
our Web site, www.myTRICARE.com, or grant permission to make changes to your account. To grant
permission for someone to see your claims information on the Web site, you must do so within your
account on www.myTRICARE.com.

09/17/2012 V 1.0
 Form Approved: OMB No. 2900-0028
Respondent Burden: 7.5 minutes

REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM INDIVIDUAL'S RECORDS

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT: The execution of this form does not authorize the release of information other than that specifically described below.
The information requested on this form is solicited under Title 38, United States Code, and will authorize release of the information you specify. The
information may also be disclosed outside VA as permitted by law to include disclosure as stated in the "Notices of Systems of VA Records" published in
the Federal Register in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974.
RESPONDENT BURDEN: VA may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond, to this collection of information unless it
displays a valid OMB Control Number. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and VA's confidentiality statute (38 U.S.C. 5701) as implemented by 38
CFR 1.526(a) and 38 CFR 1.576(b) require individuals to provide written consent before documents or information can be disclosed to third parties not
allowed to receive records or information under any other provision of law. The information requested is approved under OMB Control Number
2900-0028 and is necessary to ensure that the statutory requirements of the Privacy Act and VA's confidentiality statute are met.

Responding to this collection of information is voluntary. However, if the information is not furnished, we may not be able to comply with your request.
Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 7.5 minutes per respondent, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding
this burden estimate or any other aspects of this collection of Information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the VA Clearance Officer
(005E3), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Send comments only. Do not send this form or requests for benefits to this address.

Department of Veterans Affairs NAME OF INDIVIDUAL (Type or print)

National Capital Region Benefits Office

TO Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Services
VA FILE NO. (Include prefix) SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
1722 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20421
NAME AND ADDRESS OF ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM INFORMATION IS TO BE RELEASED

Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU)

5960 9th St Building 1260
FT. Belvoir, VA 22060
VETERAN'S REQUEST
I hereby request and authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to release the following NAME
information from the records identified above to the organization, agency, or individual named
Fort Belvoir SRU Transition Coordinator/Occupational Therapist
hereon:
INFORMATION REQUESTED (Number each item requested and give the dates or approximate dates - period from and to - covered by each.)

Information in regards to Service members/veterans status in the Veteran Readiness & Employment
(VR&E) Services program. This will include information if contact has been made, if he/she is
participating in program, and if they are currently in a vocational plan.

PURPOSE(S) FOR WHICH THE INFORMATION IS TO BE USED.

Information will be used to assist in transitioning out of the service.

NOTE: Additional information may be listed on the reverse side of this form.
SIGNATURE OF INDIVIDUAL OR PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN FOR INDIVIDUAL (Attach authority to sign, e.g., POA) DATE

VA FORM
OCT 1995(R)
3288
 Form Approved: OMB No. 2900-0028
Respondent Burden: 7.5 minutes

REVERSE OF VA FORM 3288, OCT 1995 (R)