# 38 CFR § 21.53: Reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.53 ## Section - **Citation:** 38 CFR § 21.53 - **Heading:** Reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** September 22, 2026 - **Source:** Publisher's official text - **Location:** Title 38—Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief > CHAPTER I—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS > PART 21—VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION > Subpart A—Veteran Readiness and Employment > Initial and Extended Evaluation ## Text (a) Requirement. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall determine the reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal in each case in which a veteran has either: (1) An employment handicap, or (2) A serious employment handicap. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(a)) (b) Definition. The term vocational goal means a gainful employment status consistent with the veteran's abilities, aptitudes, and interests. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3101(8)) (c) Expeditious determination. The determination of reasonable feasibility shall be made as expeditiously as possible when necessary information has been developed in the course of initial evaluation. If an extended evaluation is necessary as provided in § 21.57 a decision of feasibility shall be made by the end of the extended evaluation. Any reasonable doubt shall be resolved in favor of a finding of feasibility. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3105(d)) (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. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(1), 3106(a)) (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. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(1), 3106(b)) (f) Independent living services. The Counseling Psychologist (CP) or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) shall determine the current reasonable feasibility of a program of independent living services in each case in which a vocational rehabilitation program is not found reasonably feasible. The concurrence of the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Officer is required in any case in which the CP or VRC does not approve a program of independent living services. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3100) (g) Responsible staff. A CP or VRC in the VR&E Division shall determine whether achievement of a vocational goal is: (1) Reasonably feasible; or (2) Not currently reasonably feasible under the provisions of paragraph (e) of this section for the purpose of determining present eligibility to receive a program of independent living services. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3106(b), Pub. L. 99-576) [49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 50956, Dec. 19, 1988; 54 FR 37332, Sept. 8, 1989; 81 FR 26131, May 2, 2016; 87 FR 8742, Feb. 16, 2022] ## Nearby sections - [38 CFR § 21.1 § 21.1 Training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.1.md) - [38 CFR § 21.21 § 21.21 Election of benefits under education programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.21.md) - [38 CFR § 21.22 § 21.22 Nonduplication—Federal programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.22.md) - [38 CFR § 21.30 § 21.30 Claims.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.30.md) - [38 CFR § 21.31 § 21.31 Informal claim.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.31.md) - [38 CFR § 21.32 § 21.32 Notification by VA of necessary information or evidence when a claim is filed; time for claimant response and VA action.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.32.md) - [38 CFR § 21.33 § 21.33 VA has a duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.33.md) - [38 CFR § 21.35 § 21.35 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.35.md) - [38 CFR § 21.40 § 21.40 Basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits and services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.40.md) - [38 CFR § 21.41 § 21.41 Basic period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.41.md) - [38 CFR § 21.42 § 21.42 Deferral or extension of the basic period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.42.md) - [38 CFR § 21.44 § 21.44 Extension of the basic period of eligibility for a veteran with a serious employment handicap.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.44.md) - [38 CFR § 21.45 § 21.45 Extending the period of eligibility for a program of independent living beyond basic period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.45.md) - [38 CFR § 21.46 § 21.46 Veteran ordered to active duty; extension of basic period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.46.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-21.53. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.