Proposed rule · 2026-08809

Veteran Readiness and Employment Program: Improving Development and Delivery of Individualized Rehabilitation Plans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend the regulations pertaining to the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Chapter 31 program to ensure the planning of rehabilitation programs for eligible veterans and dependents is based on information from current treatment providers and not individuals on a panel who never treated the veteran or dependent. Current regulations require consultation with a panel of individuals who are not involved in the direct care or treatment of the veteran or dependent. As such consultation is not statutorily required, VA proposes to eliminate this unnecessary process, which often adds avoidable delays to veterans' access to benefits, and streamline decision-making based on providers who actually know the veteran's needs.