Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) —
Get 100% Pay
Your combined rating doesn't have to be 100% to receive 100% pay. TDIU pays veterans at the full 100% rate ($3,939/mo) when your service-connected conditions prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
Check Your TDIU Eligibility — Free
Tell us your current ratings and work situation. A specialist will tell you if you qualify for TDIU within 24 hours.
TDIU Eligibility Criteria — What You Need to Qualify
TDIU eligibility has two tracks. Most veterans qualify through the schedular criteria. Veterans who miss the schedular threshold may still qualify through the extraschedular route if their conditions are severe enough to prevent employment.
Single Condition Track
The most straightforward path. If you have a single condition — PTSD, back injury, TBI, etc. — rated at 60%+ and you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment, you meet the schedular criteria.
Combined Rating Track
If your combined rating is 70% or higher and at least one of your conditions is rated at 40%+ individually, you meet the threshold. Adding secondary conditions can push veterans into this range.
Exceptional Circumstances
Requires referral to the Director of Compensation Service. Reserved for exceptional cases where the combined effect of service-connected disabilities prevents employment even though the schedular rating criteria aren't technically met.
Building a Strong TDIU Claim
- 1Meet the Rating Threshold FirstTDIU eligibility begins with your existing VA ratings. If you're at 50% with one condition, increasing that condition to 60% (or adding secondary conditions to reach 70% combined) unlocks TDIU eligibility. Forged VA Council reviews your entire rating portfolio to find the fastest path.
- 2Document Employment ImpactFile VA Form 21-8940 (Veterans Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability). This form requires employment history going back 5 years. Document every job you've lost, missed, or been unable to hold because of your service-connected conditions.
- 3Get a Medical Opinion on UnemployabilityYour treating physician should provide a written opinion stating that your service-connected conditions prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment. This is different from a nexus letter — it focuses on functional limitations in a work context.
- 4Request Employer StatementsIf previous employers can attest to your inability to maintain regular attendance, perform required duties, or work without accommodation, their statements significantly strengthen a TDIU claim.
TDIU — Frequently Asked Questions
What is TDIU and how is it different from a 100% rating?
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a VA benefit that pays veterans at the 100% disability rate even when their combined rating is less than 100%. TDIU is based on your inability to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected conditions — not on reaching any specific combined percentage.
What are the eligibility requirements for TDIU?
There are two paths to TDIU eligibility: (1) Schedular TDIU — you have one service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher, OR two or more service-connected conditions with a combined rating of 70%+ where at least one condition is rated at 40%+. (2) Extraschedular TDIU — veterans who don't meet the schedular criteria can still qualify if their conditions prevent substantially gainful employment, subject to VA review.
How much does TDIU pay in 2026?
TDIU pays at the 100% VA disability rate, which is $3,939.42/month for a veteran with no dependents in 2026. With a spouse and children, total monthly compensation can exceed $4,500. TDIU recipients also receive the same healthcare benefits as 100%-rated veterans.
Can I work if I receive TDIU?
TDIU requires that you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities. "Substantially gainful" generally means work that pays at or above the federal poverty threshold. Marginal employment (such as in a protected work environment) or work in a sheltered workshop does not disqualify you. The VA reviews income annually for TDIU recipients.
What evidence do I need to support a TDIU claim?
A strong TDIU claim requires: (1) Current VA ratings meeting the schedular criteria, (2) Medical evidence showing how your service-connected conditions prevent employment, (3) Employment history showing job loss or inability to maintain employment due to your conditions, (4) Buddy statements from employers, coworkers, or family members describing the impact on your work capacity, and (5) A nexus letter from your treating provider connecting your conditions to unemployability.
You May Be Entitled to 100% Pay Right Now
If your conditions prevent meaningful work, TDIU pays you at the full 100% rate. Free review, no obligation.
Get My TDIU Eligibility Review — Free
A specialist will review your ratings and work history to determine if you qualify for TDIU within 24 hours.