Veterans who can’t work: Apply for TDIU
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), also known as Individual Unemployability (IU), is a designation within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation system. It is a benefit awarded to veterans whose service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
When a veteran has service-connected disabilities that do not meet the VA's criteria for a 100% disability rating, but those disabilities still significantly impair their ability to work, they may be eligible for TDIU. This designation allows the VA to compensate the veteran at the 100% disability rate, even if their combined disability rating falls below 100%. For veterans who are unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, applying for TDIU can be a crucial step.
To qualify for TDIU, veterans must meet certain criteria, including having one service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher, or multiple service-connected disabilities with a combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one disability rated at 40% or higher. Additionally, veterans must provide evidence that their service-connected disabilities make them unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. Receiving TDIU benefits can significantly increase a veteran's compensation, providing them with financial support to help meet their needs despite their inability to work due to service-connected disabilities.
Applying for Total Disability Individual Unemployability involves several steps for veterans who are unable to work due to service-connected disabilities.
Eligibility for TDIU:
You must have at least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, OR
You must have two or more service-connected disabilities, with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more, AND
You must be unemployed or unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to your service-connected disabilities.
If you have a single disability rated at 60% or more, or multiple disabilities with a combined rating of 70% or more, you may be eligible for a faster TDIU claims process. Additionally, the VA may schedule you for a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination to evaluate the severity of your disabilities.
It's important to note that each case is unique, and veterans are encouraged to seek assistance from veterans' service organizations or legal representatives to ensure a thorough and accurate application for TDIU.
