---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 3122"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "3122"
heading: "Longitudinal study of vocational rehabilitation programs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/3122"
units:
  - "Part III — Readjustment and Related Benefits"
  - "Chapter 31 — Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities"
---

# §3122. Longitudinal study of vocational rehabilitation programs

- (a) **Study Required.—**
  - (1) Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) shall conduct a longitudinal study of a statistically valid sample of each of the groups of individuals described in [paragraph (2)](#a-2). The [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) shall study each such group over a period of at least 20 years.
  - (2) The groups of individuals described in this paragraph are the following:
    - (A) Individuals who begin participating in a [vocational rehabilitation program](/usc/38/3101.md?p=10) under this chapter during fiscal year 2010.
    - (B) Individuals who begin participating in such a program during fiscal year 2012.
    - (C) Individuals who begin participating in such a program during fiscal year 2014.
- (b) **Annual Reports.—** By not later than July 1 of each year covered by the study required under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) shall submit to the Committees on [Veterans](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2)’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the study during the preceding year.
- (c) **Contents of Report.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) shall include in the report required under [subsection (b)](#b) any data the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) determines is necessary to determine the long-term outcomes of the individuals participating in the [vocational rehabilitation programs](/usc/38/3101.md?p=10) under this chapter. The [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) may add data elements from time to time as necessary. In addition, each such report shall contain the following information:
  - (1) The number of individuals participating in [vocational rehabilitation programs](/usc/38/3101.md?p=10) under this chapter who suspended participation in such a program during the year covered by the report.
  - (2) The average number of months such individuals served on [active duty](/usc/38/3002.md?p=6).
  - (3) The distribution of disability ratings of such individuals.
  - (4) The types of other [benefits](/usc/38/4303.md?p=2) administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) received by such individuals.
  - (5) The types of social security [benefits](/usc/38/4303.md?p=2) received by such individuals.
  - (6) Any unemployment [benefits](/usc/38/4303.md?p=2) received by such individuals.
  - (7) The average number of months such individuals were employed during the year covered by the report.
  - (8) The average annual starting and ending salaries of such individuals who were employed during the year covered by the report.
  - (9) The number of such individuals enrolled in an [institution of higher learning](/usc/38/3501.md?p=a-10), as that term is defined in [section 3452(f) of this title](/usc/38/3452.md?p=f).
  - (10) The average number of academic credit hours, degrees, and certificates obtained by such individuals during the year covered by the report.
  - (11) The average number of visits such individuals made to [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) medical facilities during the year covered by the report.
  - (12) The average number of visits such individuals made to non-[Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) medical facilities during the year covered by the report.
  - (13) The average annual income of such individuals.
  - (14) The average total household income of such individuals for the year covered by the report.
  - (15) The percentage of such individuals who own their principal residences.
  - (16) The average number of [dependents](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d) of each such [veteran](/usc/38/3701.md?p=b-2).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 110–389, title III, § 334(a), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4172.)