COMPENSATION FOR VETERANS WHO ARE UNABLE TO WORK
Have you been disabled due to a service-connected injury or disease? Are you unable to obtain substantially gainful employment as a result of your service-connected disability? If so, you may be eligible for total disability individual unemployability (TDIU). The eligibility requirements for TDIU are as follows:
- You must be a veteran
- You must have at least one service-connected disability rated at least 60%, or
- Two or more service-connected disabilities, one of which is rated at 40% or higher, with a combined rating of 70% or more
- You must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of your service-connected disabilities
WHAT IS “SUBSTANTIALLY GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT?”
“Substantially gainful employment” does not include marginal or minimum-wage jobs or sheltered jobs. If your disability prevents you from sustaining a job that adequately covers your basic living requirements (i.e. if you are making $10,000 or less a year), you can file a TDIU claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The process involves meeting the rating requirements as noted above, and providing evidence of your service-connected disability or disabilities that prevent you from performing the tasks necessary to maintain substantially gainful employment.
WHY YOU NEED TDIU BENEFITS
If you cannot work due to your service connected benefits, you may not be able to make ends meet. Serious diseases and injuries, from Parkinson’s disease to spinal cord injuries, can affect your ability to get the income that you need to provide for yourself and your family. The VA helps numerous veterans in these situations by offering compensation in the form of monthly benefits. You will need to provide evidence and an accurate application, so be sure to get professional assistance from a lawyer or agent. You can also browse through the rest of this VA disability informative website for more information about VA benefits and your options for compensation.