800+ KB across 16 research documents covering every aspect of the VA's Veterans Readiness and Employment program — statutes, regulations, counselor manuals, OIG/GAO audits, ethics codes, intake procedures, and FOIA targets.
Built by a veteran, for veterans. Because your VRC won't tell you everything — but the law will.
| # | File | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | Master Study Guide | START HERE — Cram sheet for your appointment |
| 01 | Statutes — 38 USC Ch. 31 | Every section of Chapter 31 (§§3100-3122) |
| 02 | Regulations — 38 CFR Pt. 21 | Complete 38 CFR Part 21 Subpart A |
| 03 | Eligibility & Evaluation | EH/SEH definitions, assessment process, what to bring |
| 04 | Five Tracks & Benefits | All 5 tracks, rate tables, GI Bill comparison |
| 05 | Appeals & Rights | 11 veteran rights, AMA appeals, denial strategies |
| 06 | Policy Manual & Updates | M28R/M28C, 2024-2026 legislation |
| 07 | Subsistence Allowance | FY2026 rates, payment mechanics, BAH election |
| 08 | Self-Employment & PI License | Self-employment track, business plan, license funding |
| 09 | VRC Internal Materials & Manuals | M28R/M28C manual chapters, 180+ URLs, counselor procedures |
| 10 | FOIA, OIG & GAO Reports | 26 audit reports (1992-2026), FOIA targets, Congressional hearings |
| 11 | VRC Certification & Ethics | CRC exam domains, CRCC ethics code, VA qualification standards |
| 12 | VRC Intake Procedures | What the counselor is supposed to do from THEIR side of the desk |
| 13 | Your First Intake Meeting | Step-by-step outline of how the meeting should go |
| 14 | CFE Market Feasibility | Labor market analysis for fraud examination careers |
| 15 | Real-World Case Study | NEW — A real 19-minute intake: what went wrong, why preparation wins |
File 15 — Real-World Case Study — What a real VR&E intake evaluation looks like when the VRC has already made up their mind. A 19-minute meeting, a feasibility denial that doesn't meet the regulatory standard, and why the preparation is what wins — not the meeting itself. Includes the exact phrases to use, the errors the VRC made, and why the appeal is strong.
File 12 — VRC Intake Procedures is the counselor's side of the desk — what they're required to do, how they're supposed to act, what forms they fill out, and what goes wrong when they don't follow procedures. Sourced from 38 CFR, M28R/M28C manuals, VA OIG reports, and Congressional testimony.
File 13 — Your First Intake Meeting is the veteran's walkthrough — a phase-by-phase outline of what's supposed to happen from the moment you walk in. Includes checklists for what to bring, red flags that your counselor is cutting corners, and a rights quick-reference table.
- CRCC Ethics Code Section A — Counselors must empower clients to make their own decisions
- CRCC Ethics Code Section C — Counselors MUST advocate at individual, group, and institutional levels
- GAO-20-28 (2019) — VR&E plans vary by counselor with no mechanism to detect inconsistency
- VA OIG 23-03328-197 (2025) — Counselor documentation so poor that decision accuracy "cannot be assessed"
- VA OIG 23-00967-64 (2024) — Counselors "generally unaware" of regulations, bypassed system controls
- M28R/M28C manuals — Internal procedures your VRC follows (or should be following)
- Counselor caseload: 175+ cases each — they're overwhelmed, which is why you need to advocate for yourself
- 38 CFR 21.50 — Your evaluation MUST cover 6 specific assessment areas
- 38 CFR 21.53 — "Any reasonable doubt shall be resolved in favor of a finding of feasibility"
- 38 CFR 21.257(d)(3) — VA pays for "license or required fees" under self-employment
- 38 CFR 21.362 — VA staff must "make a reasonable effort to inform the veteran and assure understanding"
- 38 CFR 21.420 — Denials require 7 specific elements in writing; you get 30 days to respond
- 38 CFR 21.420(e) — Favorable findings are binding on subsequent adjudicators
- 38 USC 3104(a)(15) — Services include "other appropriate services" (the catch-all)
- Veterans preparing for a VR&E initial appointment
- Veterans who were denied and need to appeal
- Veterans pursuing self-employment or professional licensing
- Veteran advocates and VSO representatives
- Anyone who wants to understand what the VA actually owes under Chapter 31
This is research compiled from public law (38 USC), public regulations (38 CFR), VA policy manuals, and official VA sources. It is not legal advice. But it is the truth — and the truth is your best weapon at that appointment.
Compiled February 2026 — Valor Investigations