---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 1804"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "1804"
heading: "Vocational training and rehabilitation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/1804"
units:
  - "Part II — General Benefits"
  - "Chapter 18 — Benefits for Children of Vietnam Veterans and Certain Other Veterans"
  - "Subchapter I — Children of Vietnam Veterans Born with Spina Bifida"
---

# §1804. Vocational training and rehabilitation

- (a) Pursuant to such regulations as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may prescribe, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may provide vocational training under this section to a [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) of a [Vietnam veteran](/usc/38/1831.md?p=4) who is suffering from spina bifida if the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that the achievement of a vocational goal by such [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) is reasonably feasible.
- (b) Any program of vocational training for a [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) under this section shall—
  - (1) be designed in consultation with the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) in order to meet the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1)’s individual needs;
  - (2) be set forth in an individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation; and
  - (3) be designed and developed before the date specified in [subsection (d)(3)](#d-3) so as to permit the beginning of the program as of the date specified in that subsection.
- (c)
  - (1) A vocational training program for a [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) under this section—
    - (A) shall consist of such vocationally oriented services and assistance, including such placement and post-placement services and personal and work adjustment training, as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines are necessary to enable the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) to prepare for and participate in vocational training or employment; and
    - (B) may include a [program of education](/usc/38/3452.md?p=b) at an [institution of higher learning](/usc/38/3452.md?p=f) if the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that the [program of education](/usc/38/3452.md?p=b) is predominantly vocational in content.
  - (2) A vocational training program under this section may not include the provision of any loan or subsistence allowance or any automobile adaptive equipment.
- (d)
  - (1) Except as provided in [paragraph (2)](#d-2) and subject to [subsection (e)(2)](#e-2), a vocational training program under this section may not exceed 24 months.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may grant an extension of a vocational training program for a [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) under this section for up to 24 additional months if the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that the extension is necessary in order for the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) to achieve a vocational goal identified (before the end of the first 24 months of such program) in the written plan of vocational rehabilitation formulated for the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) pursuant to [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (3) A vocational training program under this section may begin on the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1)’s 18th birthday, or on the successful completion of the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1)’s secondary schooling, whichever first occurs, except that, if the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) is above the age of compulsory school attendance under applicable [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) law and the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1)’s best interests will be served thereby, the vocational training program may begin before the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1)’s 18th birthday.
- (e)
  - (1) A [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) who is pursuing a program of vocational training under this section and is also eligible for assistance under a program under [chapter 35](/usc/38/chptIII/ch35.md) of this title may not receive assistance under both such programs concurrently. The [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) shall elect (in such form and manner as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may prescribe) the program under which the [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) is to receive assistance.
  - (2) The aggregate period for which a [child](/usc/38/1831.md?p=1) may receive assistance under this section and [chapter 35](/usc/38/chptIII/ch35.md) of this title may not exceed 48 months (or the part-time equivalent thereof).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–204, title IV, § 421(b)(1), Sept. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 2924; amended Pub. L. 105–114, title IV, § 404(c), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2295; Pub. L. 108–183, title VII, § 708(a)(3), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2673.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1804 was renumbered section 3704 of this title.

### Amendments

2003—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 108–183 substituted “section” for “subsection”.

1997—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–114, § 404(c)(1), substituted “shall—” for “shall be designed in consultation with the child in order to meet the child’s individual needs and shall be set forth in an individualized written plan of vocational rehabilitation.” and added pars. (1) to (3).

Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 105–114, § 404(c)(2), substituted “higher learning” for “higher education”.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–114, § 404(c)(3), added par. (3).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–114, title IV, § 404(d), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2295, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1801 and 1806 of this title] shall take effect as of October 1, 1997.”