Accession Number:

AD1157562

Title:

Vocational Rehabilitation: More VA and DOD Collaboration Needed to Expedite Services for Seriously Injured Servicemembers

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Congressional Report]

Corporate Author:

United States Government Accountability Office

Personal Author(s):

• Bascetta, Cynthia
• Chu, Irene
• Bernstein, Susan
• Peebles Barrow, Connie
• Boeckmann, Margaret
• Chatlos, William R.
• Kim, Clarette
• Natalicchio, Joseph J.
• Thomas, Roger

Report Date:

2005-01-14

Pagination or Media Count:

32

Abstract:

More than 10,000 U.S. military servicemembers, including National Guard and Reserve members, have been injured in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Those with serious injuries are likely to be discharged from the military and return to civilian life with disabilities. The Department of Veterans Affairs VA offers vocational rehabilitation and employment VR and E services to help these injured servicemembers in their transition to civilian employment. GAO has noted that early intervention--the provision of rehabilitation services as soon as possible after the onset of a disability--is a practice that significantly facilitates the return to work. GAO examined how VA expedites VR and E services to seriously injured servicemembers and the challenges VA faces in its efforts to do so.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]