Veterans are hard-working and try to overcome every obstacle – it’s just part of the personality of those who volunteered to serve their country in the military. Over and over again, we find that even veterans with various disabilities try their best to hold down a solid job after leaving the service, even if it’s only part-time. Part-time work doesn’t always pay the bills, though, so it’s always a good idea to see if you are getting all of the disability benefits you may be entitled to receive from the VA.
A veteran generally can still work when receiving VA disability payments for less than a 100% disability rating. However, typically in order to receive individual unemployability or a 100 percent schedule rating for certain disabilities, a veteran cannot work full-time or make over a certain amount of money per year (generally anything above the poverty line). This depends on each individual case.
Working part-time, though, is sometimes more a result of your disabilities than you originally realized. Look back at your work history for the years since your separation from the military. Have you ever been able to hold down a full-time job? Is the reason you are working part-time a result of ongoing symptoms of your physical or mental disability interfering with your employment? Have you been sick, anxious, or depressed, resulting in missed days at work and eventual termination from job after job? Maybe your situation is worth a closer look.
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a theory for getting a 100% disability rating if certain conditions are met. The most straightforward method is by showing 1) you have one service-connected disability with a 60% or more disability rating, or have two or more service-connected disabilities with a combined rating of 70% or more, and 2) there is medical evidence of unemployability. If you satisfy these two conditions, then you will be entitled to a 100% disability rating.
If you have questions about your possible eligibility for TDIU or if you are not able to work due to a disability incurred in service, please reach out to us at Veterans Law Group. Our one and only job is to provide legal help for veterans and their families in their quest for VA disability benefits.
To get started, simply fill out this questionnaire and submit to our office for evaluation. We will review your request for a consultation and contact you as soon as possible. Our consultations are free of charge.
