TRANSITIONVA program
VR&E Rapid Access to Employment Track
VR&E track for veterans and service members who already have experience, education, or training in their field and want help finding a job that uses those skills, with job search tools, counseling, and help with resumes and interviews.
Available to VR&E participants at a 10%+ service-connected disability rating, or a 20%+ memorandum rating before discharge
Step-by-step guide
What you get
Counseling and job search help for veterans and service members with a service-connected disability who already have the experience, education, or training for the work they want.
What VA looks for on the Rapid Access to Employment track
- A service-connected rating VR&E acceptsA rating of 20 percent or more with an employment handicap, or a rating under 20 percent with a serious employment handicap. VA.gov adds that the discharge was not dishonorable.
- An employment handicap the counselor findsA counselor finds that your ability to prepare for, get, or keep a suitable job is impaired, that you have not overcome it, and that your service-connected disability is a substantial part of the cause.
- Experience, education, or training in your fieldVA.gov lists this for the track: you already have experience, education, or training in the field you want to work in.
Source: 38 CFR 21.40(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.40(b) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VR&E requirements (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.51 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.50(b) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VR&E Rapid Access to Employment track (opens in new tab)
Are you a veteran or still in the service?
- Veterans with job skills already
One of the five VR&E tracks. It is for people who want a job that uses the experience, education, or training they already have. VR&E gives counseling and job search help aimed at the skills you have.
Source: VA.gov: VR&E Rapid Access to Employment track (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VR&E support-and-services tracks (opens in new tab)
- Service members before discharge
Service members can apply for VR&E before they have a VA rating, on a different form. The same track choice comes later, with a counselor.
- A pre-discharge route into VR&EAt least one of these: going through the Physical Evaluation Board, expecting an other than dishonorable discharge with a VA memorandum rating of 20 percent or more, being in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, or waiting for discharge because of a severe illness or injury from active duty.
Source: VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab); VA Form 28-0588 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VR&E requirements (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.40(c) (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA rating decision or benefit summary letter The VA letter that shows your service-connected disabilities and combined rating. | The service-connected rating VR&E starts from | VA holds it. You can download decision letters and a benefit summary letter on VA.gov. | Yes |
| VR&E application VA Form 28-1900, the application for Veteran Readiness and Employment. | That you asked VA for VR&E | Apply online on VA.gov, by mail to the VR&E Intake Center, or in person at a VA regional office. | |
| VR&E form for service members VA Form 28-0588, for service members who do not have a VA rating yet. | That you asked for VR&E before discharge | Download it from the VA.gov form page. | |
| Initial evaluation with a VR&E counselor A meeting with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who looks at your abilities, aptitudes, interests, and work history. | Whether an employment handicap exists and which track fits | VA schedules it after it gets your application. | |
| Your work history and training A resume or list of your jobs, schooling, licenses, and certificates in the field you want. | Experience, education, or training you already have | You put it together and share it with your counselor. |
Papers go to VA and your VR&E counselor. BeneVets does not ask for copies of them.
Steps, in order
- Apply for VR&E
With a VA rating, file VA Form 28-1900 online, by mail, or at a VA regional office.
Source: VA Form 28-1900 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.30 (opens in new tab)
- Apply before discharge
Without a rating yet, service members fill out VA Form 28-0588 instead of waiting for a rating.
Source: VA Form 28-0588 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab)
- Get free help with the application
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you. VA.gov lists working with an accredited representative as one way to apply.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab)
- Go to orientation
If VA accepts your application, it invites you to an orientation session at your nearest VA regional office.
Source: VA.gov: VR&E Rapid Access to Employment track (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab)
- Meet your counselor for the initial evaluation
A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor decides whether you have an employment handicap and whether a job goal is reasonably workable. Bring up the skills and training you already have.
Source: 38 CFR 21.50(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.51 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab)
- Choose the track in your rehabilitation plan
After VA decides on your application, you and your counselor write a rehabilitation plan and pick a track, such as job placement and counseling for new work.
Source: VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VR&E support-and-services tracks (opens in new tab)
- Ask for a decision review if you disagree
If you disagree with VA on your VR&E application, you can ask for a decision review.
Source: VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab); VA.gov: decision reviews and appeals (opens in new tab)
Good to know
Job search tools, professional or vocational counseling, help with a resume and interviews, help finding out whether Veterans preference applies to you, and apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and volunteer work.
Source: VA.gov: VR&E Rapid Access to Employment track (opens in new tab)
If you need new schooling or training for a different field, VR&E has a long-term services track. Your counselor helps you pick the track in your rehabilitation plan.
Source: VA.gov: VR&E support-and-services tracks (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab)
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 8, 2026: 38 CFR 21.30 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 21.40(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 21.40(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 21.40(c) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 21.50(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 21.51 (opens in new tab), VA.gov: VR&E requirements (opens in new tab), VA.gov: how to apply for VR&E (opens in new tab), VA.gov: VR&E support-and-services tracks (opens in new tab), VA.gov: VR&E Rapid Access to Employment track (opens in new tab), VA Form 28-1900 (opens in new tab), VA Form 28-0588 (opens in new tab), VA.gov: download VA benefit letters (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab), VA.gov: decision reviews and appeals (opens in new tab)