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Updated Jan 08, 2025

In This Section
  
This section contains the following topics:
 
Topic
Topic Name
1
2
3
 

1.  Requests for Memorandum VR&E Ratings

 

Change Date

   February 27, 2019

XIII.i.5.B.1.a.  Requests for Memorandum VR&E Ratings

  
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Service may request a memorandum vocational rehabilitation/employment (VR&E) rating to determine whether the claimant’s service-connected (SC) disabilities meet the 10-percent or 20-percent eligibility requirements per M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart i, 5.A.2, in any of the following situations:
Note:  A proposed rating decision prepared under the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) program may also serve to establish entitlement to VR&E services in lieu of a memorandum VR&E rating.  If one has already been completed, provide a copy to the requesting VR&E office.  For electronic rating decisions, inform the VR&E contact of its availability via the electronic claims folder (eFolder).
 
References:  For more information on

2.  Requesting Medical Evidence for Memorandum VR&E Ratings

Introduction
   This topic contains information on requesting medical evidence for memorandum VR&E ratings, including

Change Date

   June 18, 2019

XIII.i.5.B.2.a.  When to Request a Physical Examination for a Memorandum VR&E Rating

  
Consider requesting a physical examination or other development (including a hospital report) for the purposes of preparing a memorandum VR&E rating if a minimum 20-percent evaluation cannot be assigned on the evidence of record.
 
Note:  Before development, the evidence must demonstrate a reasonable probability of SC disability.

XIII.i.5.B.2.b.  Requesting Additional STRs for a Memorandum VR&E Rating

  
The original VR&E benefit application package should contain all service treatment records (STRs) available at the time of the Veteran’s or service member’s separation.
 
Do not request additional STRs unless
  • service connection (SC) at a minimum of 10 percent for any of the disabilities claimed is not supported by available medical records, and
  • there is a clear indication in the folder that there are, in fact, additional records available.
Notes:
  • In Transition Assistance Program/Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP) cases, STRs, a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Uniformed Service, and VA Form 28-1900 are sent directly to a regional office (RO).
  • If problems are found with record requests from any separation centers,
    • apply the Specialized Records Request special issue indicator in the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), and
    • resolve the issues through the Military Records Specialist or the Military Services Coordinator in the Veterans Service Center.

XIII.i.5.B.2.c.  Requesting Other Records for a Memorandum VR&E Rating

  
If the claims folder indicates the existence of additional records in the Veteran’s custody that would be pertinent to the pending decision, request those records prior to preparing a memorandum VR&E rating.

XIII.i.5.B.2.d.  Evidence for Service Members Awaiting Discharge for Disability

  
Any VA Form 28-1900 filed by a service member who is awaiting discharge for disability is generally accompanied by all readily available service department medical records and, if available, a current hospital report.
 
If additional specific records are required, they should be requested from the applicable service department.
 
After a memorandum VR&E rating (or proposed IDES rating) is completed, make copies of all original records that must be returned.
 
Reference:  For more information on VR&E claims involving pre-discharge cases, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.D.1.
 

3.  Rating VR&E Claims

Introduction

  
This topic contains information on rating claims for VR&E benefits, including

Change Date

  
January 8, 2025

XIII.i.5.B.3.a.  Preparing a Memorandum Rating Decision for VR&E Purposes

  
Prepare a memorandum VR&E rating decision if the
  • VR&E activity requests one for a claim filed for vocational rehabilitation under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31, or
  • RO receives a VA Form 28-1900 from a Veteran, or a person
    • in active service awaiting discharge or retirement for disability, or
    • who believes he/she has a qualifying disability for DTAP, or
    • who has no current SC disability rating.
Exception:  A memorandum VR&E rating is not required when there is a proposed rating decision prepared under the IDES program.
 
Reference:  For more information on IDES ratings for VR&E purposes, see VR&E Letter 28-10-09.

XIII.i.5.B.3.b.  Memorandum VR&E Rating Codesheet

  
On the memorandum VR&E rating Codesheet, use a single diagnostic code representing the primary or most significant disability.  List any other disabilities in the DIAGNOSIS field.
 
Use the table below to verify the proper language is used in the rating decision.
 
If deciding that …
Then ensure that the Compensation/Vocational Rehability Purposes section of the Codesheet reflects …
eligibility for VR&E services exists because of a 20-percent or greater evaluation
Voc Rehab Purposes, SC 20 Percent or More.
SC for a Veteran is warranted at a rate of zero or 10 percent
whichever of the following is appropriate:
  • Voc Rehab Purposes, SC 10 Percent, or
  • Voc Rehab Purposes, SC Not Compensable.
SC for a service member is warranted at a rate less than 20 percent
Voc Rehab Purposes, Active Duty – Less than 20 Percent.
eligibility for VR&E services does not exist because no disabilities are subject to SC
Voc Rehab Purposes, NSC.
 

XIII.i.5.B.3.c.  No Current Examination Used in the Memorandum VR&E Rating Decision

  
When preparing a memorandum VR&E rating decision, if entitlement is established without a current examination, note that fact for the benefit of the VR&E counselor or counseling psychologist.

XIII.i.5.B.3.d.  Notifying the VR&E Activity of the Memorandum VR&E Rating Decision

  
Notify the VR&E activity of the memorandum VR&E rating decision by completing the following:
  • upload the decision and VA Form 28-1900 into the eFolder (if not previously uploaded)
  • send an encrypted e-mail to the VR&E office of jurisdiction (using the appropriate e-mail address from among those listed in the table below) that includes the
    • Veteran’s name and claim number, and
    • date of the corresponding rating decision, and
  • upload a copy of the e-mail to the eFolder.
RO Name
VR&E E-Mail Address
Albuquerque
Anchorage
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boise
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cleveland
Columbia
Denver
Des Moines
Detroit
Fargo
Ft. Harrison
Hartford
Honolulu
Houston
Huntington
Indianapolis
Jackson
Lincoln
Little Rock
Los Angeles
Louisville
Manchester
Manila
Milwaukee
Montgomery
Muskogee
Nashville
New Orleans
New York
Newark
Oakland
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
Portland
Providence
Reno
Roanoke
Salt Lake
San Diego
San Juan
Seattle
Sioux Falls
St. Louis
St. Paul
St. Petersburg
Togus
Waco
Washington
White River
Wichita
Wilmington
Winston Salem
 
Reference:  For more information on notifying the VR&E service of qualifying rating decisions, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart iv, 1.D.2.d.

XIII.i.5.B.3.e.  Reevaluation on the Basis of Medical Infeasibility

  
If the VR&E panel determines temporary or permanent medical infeasibility for rehabilitation of a Veteran rated less than 100-percent disabled, it will refer the case with a statement of the facts to the rating activity for reevaluation.
 
Note:  The determination of infeasibility constitutes an adequate basis for rating activity consideration of the case.

XIII.i.5.B.3.f.  Reevaluation When Rehabilitation Becomes Medically Feasible

  
If the decision of medical infeasibility was temporary and resulted in an increased rating, the VR&E activity will refer the case for reevaluation to the rating activity if the Veteran becomes medically feasible for rehabilitation.
 
Reference:  For more information on medical feasibility, see M28C, Part IV, B.1.06.

XIII.i.5.B.3.g.  Notifying the VR&E Activity of Changes to the Veteran’s Disability Evaluation

  
Notify the VR&E activity of a rating decision that effectuates any of the following outcomes for a Veteran currently participating in a VR&E evaluation or program:
  • implements a final determination of SC when only a memorandum rating decision for VR&E purposes is otherwise of record
  • awards entitlement to individual unemployability benefits, or
  • reduces the evaluation of or severs entitlement to an SC disability.
The table below describes the process for preventing improper payments and ensuring more timely notification to the VR&E activity.
 
Stage
Who Is Responsible
Description
1
rating activity
Searches the corporate record to determine if the Veteran has an active Chapter 31 flash.
2
rating activity
Upon discovery of such a flash, alerts authorization activity of the existence of an active Chapter 31 flash according to locally defined procedures  (such as a special notation on the rating or an e-mail).
3
authorization activity
Sends an encrypted e-mail to the VR&E office of jurisdiction to inform the office of the new rating decision in the eFolder.
 
Note:  The e-mail must include the
  • name and claim number of the Veteran or service member, and
  • date of the new rating decision.
Reference:  For more information on e-mail addresses for individual VR&E offices, see the table in M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart i, 5.B.3.d.
4
authorization activity
Enters a note in VBMS, documenting the action and the date it was taken.
 
Note:  The VR&E activity will establish internal procedures to route the notifications to the appropriate VR&E case worker.