Most folks who can make it to med school are pretty thorough, so I figured I would post some things that I have found. A lot of links, actually, but
BE FOREWARNED- I will not be updating these, so if they don't work anytime after the first week, you'll have to get the gist of the link and google something similar.
So, while "Chapter 31" is thus named because of the law you find it in,... Chapter 31 is merely a description of the program. Title 38, however, has several chapters that describe the administration of the program. In other words, if you want to read about VR&E, check out this link:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/3100
... you can see just above the text that there is a "prev/next" button that will allow you to "flip" between sections of the chapter and allow you to read on and on. HOWEVER... if you want to know how the law should be administered, you have to look elsewhere. Where? Glad you asked
...
First try this link:
https://books.google.com/books?id=-_QIBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110#v=onepage&q&f=false
In case you have to google it later, the title is "
Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief Part 18 to End. By Office of The Federal Register, Enhanced by IntraWEB, LLC"
I use this link more as a table of contents rather than reading the whole thing, mainly because you can't select text, highlight, copy/paste (Yes, I am getting a document ready for when I go in to my appointment in anticipation of the things they said on the phone). Instead, I use the Cornell University Law School site (first link), and I search (top right-hand corner) for the section I want to look at on my "Table of Contents" link. For instance, I type 38 CFR 21.35 to look for their "definitions" and find one of my questions from above...
(h)
Vocational goal.
(1) The term
vocational goal means a gainful employment status consistent with a veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and interests;
(2) The term
achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible means the effects of the veteran's disability (service and nonservice-connected), when considered in relation to the veteran's circumstances does not prevent the veteran from successfully pursuing a vocational rehabilitation program and becoming gainfully employed in an occupation consistent with the veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and interests;
(3) The term
achievement of a vocational goal is not currently reasonably feasible means the effects of the veteran's disability (service and nonservice-connected), when considered in relation to the veteran's circumstances at the time of the determination:
(i) Prevent the veteran from successfully achieving a vocational goal at that time; or
(ii) Are expected to worsen within the period needed to achieve a vocational goal and which would, therefore, make achievement not reasonably feasible.
OR, if you search 38 CFR 21.53, you will find their section on "Reasonable Feasibility of Achieving a Vocational Goal" listed with this:
(d)
Vocational goal is reasonably feasible. Achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible for a veteran with either an employment or serious employment handicap when the following conditions are met:
(1) Vocational goal(s) has (have) been identified;
(2) The veteran's physical and mental conditions permit training for the goal(s) to begin within a reasonable period; and
(3) The veteran:
(i) Possesses the necessary educational skills and background to pursue the vocational goal; or
(ii) Will be provided services by the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop such necessary educational skills as part of the program.
(e)
Criteria for reasonable feasibility not met.
(1)When VA finds that the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section are not met, but VA has not determined that achievement of a vocational goal is not currently reasonably feasible, VA shall provide the rehabilitation services contained in §
21.35(i)(1)(i) of this part as appropriate;
(2) A finding that achievement of a vocational goal is infeasible without a period of extended evaluation requires compelling evidence which establishes infeasibility beyond any reasonable doubt.
Sorry that this turned into a book in and of itself, but I figured it may help others out there, too.