Solution:
At this time Easytrieve for UNIX does not support Micro Focus variable files.
The Micro Focus Variable Length file can either have a 2 byte RDW (record length of <= 4095) or a 4 byte RDW (record length >= 4096).
Unfortunately, there is no compile directive for CA Easytrieve that will allow programs recognized 2 byte RDW and/or 4 byte RDW.