Disabled veterans who are unable to work can get a 100 percent VA rating and full benefits
If you are a disabled veteran who is unable to work, you may be entitled to full disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), even if your current VA rating is less than 100 percent. You could get Total Disability based on the Individual Inability for Employment (TDIU).
What does it mean to be unemployed?
Veterans are unemployed if their disabilities related to their military service prevent them from working. The most extreme situation is that a veteran is unable to work at all. In addition, employment disability can also be claimed if the veteran is unable to hold down a job or earn enough money to live above the annual poverty level, which is currently set at $11,170.
Unemployability may also apply to a disabled veteran who works on a farm or in a family business, even if their income is above the annual poverty level. This is known as “protected employment”,
If any of these situations describe what is going on in your life, you should consider getting full benefits based on individual unemployment, especially if the VA qualification you currently have makes you eligible for TDIU.
What is VA’s Qualifying Criteria for Individual Unemployability?
In most cases, your current VA rating must meet the VA criteria for TDIU. For example, if you are 60 percent or more disabled, you are eligible. You can also have a combined VA rating of 70 percent or more for two or more disabilities, as long as one disability has a 40 percent rating.
There are exceptions to VA rules
Eligibility isn’t always cut and dry. Believe it or not, you don’t necessarily have to meet one of these VA qualifications to qualify. The VA understands that each and every disability case is different. Yours may be related to a specific situation that supports why you are unable to work. So if you think your service-connected disability is interfering with your ability to work, you may be entitled to more money from the VA.
Can TDIU benefits be stopped?
There are a couple of scenarios that could affect the continuation of your TDIU benefits.
Even if you are given a 100 percent rating based on lack of employment, the VA could discontinue TDIU if they decide you are fit for work. That decision would be based on a requested medical examination. Your TDIU status will end and you will return to compensation based on your actual VA rating.
If you start working again, you’ll lose the TDIU after one year and simply go back to receiving disability compensation based on your actual VA rating in addition to a good steady salary.
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