Veterans make many sacrifices during their time in the military. As a result of these sacrifices many veterans are left with the inability to obtain and maintain employment. Many of these veterans that are unable to work are not rated at 100% through the VA. This causes many veterans to struggle to put food on their tables and pay their bills.
It is for this reason that the Department of Veterans Affairs established Temporary Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The benefit of TDIU is that a veteran will be increased to 100% pay because they have been determined to be unable to work by the VA. Of course, there are certain eligibility criteria a veteran must meet to qualify for TDIU.
Eligibility Criteria for TDIU:
- A veteran with only one service-connected disability must have that disability rated at least a 60% rating.
- A veteran with multiple service-connected disabilities must have a combined rating of at least 70% with at least one disability rated at 40% or higher.
If a veteran meets this eligibility criteria, they can apply for TDIU benefits. When applying for TDIU benefits the VA will look at a veterans’ employment history, education, and vocational training will be taken into consideration. It is highly important for a veteran to provide as much proof as possible to the VA to substantiate their claim for TDIU benefits. Evidence a veteran may provide to the VA include witness statements from former employers, statement from doctors, hospitalization records, and other medical records.
If the veteran does not meet the regular criteria for TDIU benefits they may still qualify for TDIU benefits through the extra-scheduler benefits. To qualify for TDIU through the extra-scheduler benefits the veteran must have evidence that shows their inability to work due to a service-connected disability. If a veteran is receiving Social Security Disability Benefits this can serve as evidence in receiving TDIU through the extra-scheduler benefits. If a veteran is frequently hospitalized or receiving treatment for a service-connected disability this can serve as evidence also.
Applying for and receiving TDIU benefits can be a very difficult process for a veteran to navigate. It is a very good idea to study the process and get all of the evidence together before applying for TDIU benefits. Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) and attorneys are a great resource in helping a veteran apply for and receive TDIU benefits.