Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: Everything You Need To Know
Veterans with service-connected conditions that prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU, even if they don’t have a 100 percent VA disability rating. TDIU provides the same benefits as a full 100 percent disability rating.
- TDIU allows veterans with less than a 100% disability rating to receive full compensation if they can’t work due to service-related conditions.
- Eligibility requires either one disabling condition rated at 60% or multiple conditions with a combined rating of 70%, with one rated at least 40%.
- Veterans can apply for TDIU with their initial VA claim or at a later time, and successful claims result in compensation equivalent to a 100% disability rating.
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU, is a VA benefit that provides veterans who are unable to work due to a service-connected condition with higher disability compensation. To be considered for TDIU benefits, you must submit an application to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Learn how to apply for TDIU with Veterans Guide.
What Is TDIU?
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU, provides financial assistance for veterans who don’t qualify for a 100% rating, but still can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to their mental or physical conditions.
If you can’t hold down a full-time job because of a disability related to your service in the military, you may qualify for TDIU. Under this program, you can receive disability compensation and benefits at the same level as a veteran with a 100% disability rating, even if your schedular rating is lower than 100%.
How Much Does TDIU Pay in 2026?
As of December 1, 2025, the basic monthly rate for 100% disabled veterans or those receiving TDIU benefits is $3,938.58. Adding dependents, such as a spouse, parents, or children, can significantly increase this payment.
Types of TDIU
There are two types of TDIU: schedular and extraschedular. Schedular TDIU relies on specific disability ratings and a lack of employability, while extraschedular TDIU allows veterans to receive 100% disability compensation even if their service-connected disabilities don’t meet the standard rating thresholds.
In extraschedular TDIU cases, a veteran’s conditions uniquely prevent them from securing or following substantially gainful employment, even if their rating is lower than the threshold levels.
Schedular TDIU
To attain schedular TDIU status, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- You have one service-related condition with a VA disability rating of 60 percent or higher.
- You have a combined VA disability rating of 70 percent for multiple conditions, with at least one rated at 40 percent.
Extraschedular TDIU
An extraschedular disability rating grants veterans a higher rating than the one they would receive based on the standard rating schedule used by VA. A veteran may qualify for this type of rating in exceptional cases, such as when they require frequent hospitalizations.
TDIU Eligibility Requirements
There are multiple eligibility criteria for veterans seeking TDIU benefits. First, the veteran must have a service-connected disabling condition, meaning it arose during service, was a pre-existing condition exacerbated by the veteran’s service, or wasn’t initially apparent but was related to their time in the military.
Another key requirement is the veteran’s inability to maintain substantially gainful employment. Their disability must cause mental or physical limitations that make it impossible for the veteran to hold down a steady job.
Disability ratings play a crucial role in determining eligibility for TDIU. In most cases, a veteran must meet the schedular thresholds, which means they must have a single disability rated at least 60% or multiple conditions with a combined rating of at least 70%, with one condition rated at least 40%. However, there are some exceptions.
How the VA Evaluates TDIU Claims
The VA weighs several types of evidence to evaluate TDIU claims. First, they examine the medical evidence, including records and professional opinions, to assess a veteran’s level of employability.
Additionally, they consider a veteran’s employment and education history to assess whether they are capable of obtaining and maintaining suitable employment. The VA may also bring in a vocational expert to evaluate the veteran’s employability. The timeframes for TDIU claim evaluations vary significantly, with some taking only a few months and others lasting over a year.
How To Apply for TDIU & VA Employability Forms
You can apply for TDIU simultaneously with your initial VA disability claim—or later if your condition worsens.
Veterans with service-connected disabilities may apply for TDIU online, by fax, mail, in person, or with the assistance of a VA-accredited attorney. This process can be lengthy and challenging, but working with a skilled attorney can help simplify it and ensure that your application is filed correctly, complete with all necessary forms and evidence.
When you initially file for benefits, you must submit VA Form 21-526EZ – Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. This form is used to initiate all claims for VA disability benefits. When applying for TDIU, you must also submit the following forms:
- VA Form 21-8940: Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability
- VA Form 21-4192: Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits
You must also submit evidence to substantiate your TDIU claim. Examples of relevant documents include medical records, doctors’ statements, and other evidence that shows you can’t perform gainful employment.
The Effective Date of TDIU Claims
The effective date of your TDIU benefits is crucial for determining whether you are entitled to back pay and calculating the amount payable. The VA often uses the date you filed your Form 21-8940 TDIU application as the effective date. A one-year gap between filing and approval grants you one year of back pay.
Making the effective date the same as the application date may work out for veterans who apply for TDIU along with their initial claim. But others may lose compensation they deserve, such as:
- Veterans who didn’t realize they needed to send in separate forms for TDIU
- Veterans who didn’t know the effect their disability would have on their employment
- Veterans with undiagnosed conditions
For example, a veteran with a service-related physical condition might file through the usual VA disability process and get a 30 percent VA disability rating. The effects of undiagnosed PTSD could then lead to chronic unemployment. If a doctor determines two years later that the veteran has PTSD dating back to their service, the effective date of their TDIU benefits should be that of their initial claim.
The questions around TDIU effective dates are another reason to work with a lawyer. If the VA denies TDIU or grants an effective date that doesn’t match when you became unemployable, your attorney can appeal. Since each case is decided on its own merits, there is a chance that persuasive arguments and evidence will lead to a change in your effective date on appeal.
What Is the Approval Rate for TDIU?
A TDIU approval depends on the individual veteran’s medical condition and work capability. Because it’s so personalized, it’s impossible to predict the success of a claim. However, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Annual Benefits Report noted that nearly 460,000 veterans received TDIU in 2024–a 20 percent increase from 2023.
Veterans who meet the TDIU eligibility requirements and submit all the appropriate documentation have a good chance of approval. Working with a VA-accredited lawyer can strengthen your claim and help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Need Help Applying for TDIU?
TDIU can help veterans achieve a 100% VA disability rating, which can be extremely beneficial for those unable to work. However, obtaining TDIU status can be a challenging process. Working with a VA-accredited attorney at Veterans Guide can simplify the process and improve your chances of approval.
Working with a skilled attorney with experience navigating the TDIU claims process is in your best interest. Their familiarity with the VA benefits system can prevent common errors that delay your case, so you can start receiving the benefits you’re due. If you have more questions about TDIU or other VA benefits, contact us today.
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