Comment from Kristina Krozak on VA-2026-VBA-0133-0001

Comment on RIN 2900-AS92: Veteran Readiness and Employment Program: Improving Development and Delivery of Individualized Rehabilitation Plans I appreciate the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to reduce unnecessary delays and improve access to services through the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. Veterans and their families should not face avoidable bureaucratic barriers when seeking the support and rehabilitation services they have earned through their service. I agree that timely access to services is critical. Many veterans become frustrated by lengthy processes and administrative delays, which can discourage continued participation in programs designed to improve their quality of life, independence, and employment outcomes. Any effort to streamline decision-making and ensure veterans receive assistance more quickly deserves careful consideration. However, I am concerned that eliminating the Vocational Rehabilitation Panel (VRP) entirely may create unintended consequences, particularly for veterans with complex cases involving multiple physical, psychological, educational, vocational, or social needs. The proposal identifies delays associated with assembling panels, but it is unclear whether the multidisciplinary review itself is the source of those delays or whether existing administrative procedures, staffing challenges, scheduling requirements, or outdated processes are contributing factors. Before removing the panel structure altogether, I encourage the VA to examine whether modernization of the review process could achieve the same efficiency goals while preserving the benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration. Veterans are rarely served by a single perspective alone. Rehabilitation is not a linear process. A veteran may simultaneously face physical injuries, mental health challenges, educational barriers, employment limitations, housing concerns, family responsibilities, or other factors that affect successful rehabilitation. Multidisciplinary review can help identify needs, resources, referrals, or treatment considerations that may not be apparent when viewed through a single professional lens. I encourage the VA to consider alternative approaches, including: • Maintaining multidisciplinary review for complex cases. • Establishing clear criteria for when multidisciplinary review should be required. • Utilizing virtual or expedited review processes. • Creating standing regional review teams to reduce scheduling burdens. • Streamlining administrative requirements while preserving opportunities for collaborative assessment. If the VA ultimately removes the panel requirement, I respectfully request additional information regarding how the agency will ensure that veterans with complex and overlapping needs continue to receive the benefit of multidisciplinary expertise during rehabilitation planning. Our veterans made tremendous sacrifices in service to our nation. We owe them not only timely access to services but also thoughtful, comprehensive support that recognizes the full scope of their experiences and needs. Efforts to reduce bureaucracy are important, but those efforts should be balanced with safeguards that help ensure veterans receive the highest quality care and rehabilitation services possible. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on this proposed rule.