VA Form 28-1900
Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation
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.
- 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.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-28-1900/
Walk it box by box
Fill it out with your information
Open the official VA form, then work down the boxes below. Each one is pre-filled from what you have already entered in Claim Recon and explained in plain language with the wording a VA rater expects. Review and edit every answer, then export your worksheet and copy it onto the official form. We never fill out or submit anything for you.
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
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.
(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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
(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 and regulatory authority
- 38 CFR 21.40 - Service-connected ≥10% rating + employment handicap eligibility.
- 38 CFR 21.282 - IL track for veterans not feasible for employment.
- 38 USC 3101 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) basic entitlement for SC veterans with employment handicap.