38 CFR § 21.8340 - Leaves of absence.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t38/s21.8340"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "38 CFR § 21.8340 - Leaves of absence."
title_number: 38
title_name: "Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief"
section_number: "21.8340"
section_name: "Leaves of absence."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS"
part_number: "21"
part_name: "VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
cfr_part: "21"
---


# 21.8340 Leaves of absence.

(a) *Purpose of leave of absence.* The purpose of the leave system is to enable the child to maintain his or her status as an active program participant.

(b) *Basis for leave of absence.* The VR&E case manager may grant the child leaves of absence for periods during which the child fails to pursue a vocational training program. For prolonged periods of absence, the VR&E case manager may approve leaves of absence only if the case manager determines the child is unable to pursue a vocational training program through no fault of the child.

(c) *Effect on entitlement.* During a leave of absence, VA suspends the running of the basic 24-month period of entitlement, plus any extensions thereto, until the child resumes the program.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1804(c), 1814)