The aim of this vocational rehabilitation research project was to study the connections between the vocational rehabilitation examination's recommendations and the timing. 80 rehabilitants took part in this study. The methods were surveys, interviews and evaluations, medical and psychological examinations, work appraisals, and tests for muscular performance. The rehabilitants who were recommended for vocational rehabilitation (work or school) differed from those who were recommended for disability benefits. The vocational rehabilitants were evaluated as having better health, working ability, cognitive functioning and shorter sick-leaves than the others. One problem of the vocational rehabilitation was the timing of the examination which was better for those who had the vocational recommendation. The improvement of the vocational rehabilitation demands the re-evaluation of the rehabilitation's selection criteria. Also by developing the activities and co-operation of the rehabilitation organizations before the examination the rehabilitation can be made easier.