(a) Eligibility requirements for specialized vocational training.

(1) The Department of Veterans Affairs may provide a program of a specialized course of vocational training to an eligible person who:

(i) Is not in need of special restorative training, and

(ii) Requires specialized vocational training because of a mental or physical handicap.

(2) The Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will:

(i) After consulting with the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel, determine whether such a course is in the best interest of the eligible person; and

(ii) Deny the application for the program when the course is not in the eligible person's best interest.

(3) Both the CP or VRC and the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel will assist in developing the program, if the CP or VRC has previously determined that the course is in the eligible person's best interest.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3521, 3536; Pub. L. 99-576)

(4) The Department of Veterans Affairs may authorize specialized vocational training for an eligible child only if the child has passed his or her 14th birthday at the time training is to begin.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3536)

(b) Program objective. The objective of a program of specialized vocational training will be designated as a vocational objective.

(c) Special assistance. When needed, special assistance will be provided under §21.4276.

(d) Length of specialized vocational training. When the program of specialized vocational training will exceed 45 months, the CP or VRC will refer the program to the Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service for prior approval.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3543(b))

[48 FR 37989, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 42726, Oct. 24, 1984; 54 FR 33889, Aug. 17, 1989; 81 FR 26132, May 2, 2016]