[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 38, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 38CFR21.60]

[Page 133]
 
            TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF
 
          CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED)
 
PART 21--VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION--Table of Contents
 
     Subpart A--Vocational Rehabilitation Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31
 
Sec. 21.60  Vocational Rehabilitation Panel.

    (a) Establishment of the Panel. A Vocational Rehabilitation Panel 
will be established at each field facility by the facility head. The 
purpose of the Panel is to provide technical assistance in the planning 
of rehabilitation programs for seriously disabled veterans and 
dependents. This purpose will be most effectively carried out through 
use of the services of a wide range of professionals to bring the 
resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the community to 
bear on problems presented in the individual case.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

    (b) Composition of the Panel. The Panel will include, but not be 
limited to the following:
    (1) A counseling psychologist in the VR&C (Vocational Rehabilitation 
and Employment) Division as the chairperson;
    (2) A vocational rehabilitation specialist in VR&C;
    (3) A medical consultant from a Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center;
    (4) A member of the Social Services staff from a Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and
    (5) Other specialists from the Department of Veterans Affairs.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a), 3115(a))

    (c) Appointment to the Panel.
    (1) The VR&C (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) Officer may 
not serve as either chairperson or member of the Panel.
    (2) The VR&C Officer will arrange for the participation of 
nonmedical professional staff in the Panel's meetings.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3115(a)(2))

    (d) Scope of Panel review. The Panel will review each case which has 
been referred to it in relation to:
    (1) Specific reason for the referral; and
    (2) Other problem areas which the Panel identifies in the course of 
its consideration of the case.
    (e) Referral. A case may be referred to the Panel by:
    (1) A counseling psychologist in VR&C;
    (2) A vocational rehabilitation specialist in VR&C; or
    (3) The VR&C officer.
    (f) Report. The Panel must prepare a report on its findings and 
recommendations in each case. The Panel's recommendations may include 
specific actions which are warranted on the basis of current 
information, or may identify additional information needed to provide a 
sounder basis for planning the veteran's program of rehabilitation.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3104(a))

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