What Is TDIU?

TDIU stands for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability. Sometimes it’s referred to as IU or simply individual unemployability. While the terminology varies, the purpose is clear: if your service-connected disabilities prevent you from holding gainful employment, TDIU may allow you to receive VA compensation at the 100% disability rate—even if your current rating is between 60–90%.

Yes, you read that right: a 70% rating could be bumped up to 100% pay, which can mean a monthly increase of over $2,000. That’s significant—and potentially life-changing.

Is There an Age Limit?

No, there is no age restriction for applying for TDIU. Whether you’re in your 30s or your 70s, if your service-connected disabilities prevent you from working, TDIU may be an option.

Why TDIU Might Be Right for You

Many veterans hesitate to apply for benefits they’ve earned, often due to guilt or misunderstanding. But remember—VA disability compensation is designed to replace lost earning capacity caused by service-connected conditions. It’s not just about how much you made last year or this year—it’s also about how much longer you can continue working.

Some veterans reach a point where, due to physical or mental limitations, continuing to work is simply no longer viable. That’s when TDIU becomes a valid and often necessary step.

Eligibility Requirements for TDIU

To qualify for TDIU, your service-connected disabilities must prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment. This is typically defined as earning above the federal poverty line for one person.

You may still be eligible if you do some marginal work (such as selling art at a farmer’s market), but your primary income should not exceed that gainful employment threshold.

There Are Two Primary Ways to Qualify:

• One disability rated at least 60%
• One disability rated at least 40%, with a combined rating of 70% or higher

In some cases, like frequent hospitalizations or severely limiting conditions such as chronic migraines, veterans may qualify at lower percentages, provided sufficient medical evidence is presented.

Will My Rating Change If I’m Approved?

No—your actual disability rating will stay the same. If you are currently rated at 70%, for example, that number won’t change. However, if TDIU is granted, your compensation will be increased to the 100% pay level.

That means a significant boost in monthly benefits—often exceeding $4,000 for married veterans with dependents.

Example Scenario

Let’s say a veteran has a 60% rating for a service-connected heart condition. Over time, symptoms worsen, making it impossible to continue physical work. With doctor support and proper documentation, the veteran applies for TDIU and is approved. While the rating remains 60%, the veteran now receives compensation at the 100% level due to unemployability.

What Documentation Is Needed?

To apply for TDIU, you’ll need to submit medical records, doctor’s statements, and any employment records that support your claim. The VA will consider your medical history, education, and work experience to determine whether your service-connected conditions make you unemployable.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a veteran who can no longer work due to service-connected conditions, TDIU might be the path that gets you the compensation you deserve. Don’t self-eliminate from this benefit—it exists for a reason. Whether you’re 35 or 75, if you’re struggling to maintain employment because of your service-connected disabilities, consider applying for TDIU.

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Why Static VA Ratings Matter

1. They Determine If You’re 100% P&T

Your static ratings play a major role in whether or not you’re eligible for 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability status. If you have conditions that aren’t static (or aren’t static yet) and you’re rated at 100% using the VA’s combined rating system, you may not qualify for P&T. That sucks because 100% P&T benefits go far beyond just being rated at 100%—this includes protections from future rating reductions and additional state benefits.

2. They Create a Safety Net

While static ratings don’t officially protect you from reductions, they do create a cushion. A static condition means it’s unlikely to improve in your lifetime, so the VA typically won’t schedule future exams (no more routine C&P exams for that condition). That’s huge—less stress, fewer appointments, and greater peace of mind.

Recent Changes in VA Rating Practices

It’s worth noting that around 2022 or 2023, the VA was heavily criticized for unnecessary C&P exams. Following an Inspector General report, VA raters now lean more toward assigning static ratings than they did before. So while static ratings still exist, non-static ones are less common than in the past—especially for long-standing conditions.

How to Check If Your Ratings Are Static Online

1. Log in to VA.gov.
2. Once logged in, open a new browser tab or window.
3. Paste the following URL into the address bar:
   https://api.va.gov/v0/ratings
4. You’ll likely see a JSON page (code-style). To make it readable, use a tool like Pretty Print or a JSON formatter extension.

Look for the section that says “serviceConnected”: true and check the “static” field. If it says "static": true, then that condition is considered static. Easy peasy.

Important Clarifications

• Ignore any condition labeled as “not service connected” for static rating purposes. Even if it says static, it doesn’t matter unless it’s actually service-connected.
• If one of your service-connected conditions isn’t static, you’ll likely have a routine future exam. That means you need to maintain medical evidence and treatment history.
• This is particularly common in mental health claims rated at 100%. The VA assumes potential for improvement, so non-static status is more likely here.

How Static Ratings Affect 100% P&T Eligibility

To be rated 100% P&T, the VA requires that your static conditions alone equal at least a 95% combined rating. For example, if your static ratings total 94%, and a new non-static condition pushes you to 100%, you still won’t qualify for P&T.

Quick Note on Protections

• 10-Year Rule: Protects service connection after 10 years.
• 20-Year Rule: Protects the VA rating itself after 20 years.

Static ratings help, but those two protections are the only official long-term safeguards in the VA system.