Veteran who is permanently and totally disabled

It may be done in one of several ways:. It is also possible for initially temporary TDIU benefits to become permanent.

This happens either if you are 70 years or older or you have received TDIU benefits for 20 years or more consecutively. The VA can terminate your TDIU benefits if it determines that your condition has improved to the point that you are able to maintain substantially gainful employment.

Your TDIU rating may also be reduced if you are able to maintain substantially gainful employment for 12 consecutive months. However, this rule does not apply to veterans who are working in what is known as a protected work environment. This designation usually applies to a situation where some special accommodation is made for the veteran.

Of course, the higher a disabled veteran is rated the higher the disability compensation awarded. If a disability is not considered permanent, it is called temporary disability. However, when a veteran has a disability that is considered permanent AND total, there are certain disability benefits that come into play. A veteran can claim IU when he is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment because his service-connected disability.

Substantially gainful employment is a VA term for not being able to work. When considering IU, the VA looks at what the veteran earns. If the veteran makes less than the poverty level then VA considers that the veteran cannot work. Alternatively, VA considers if the veteran is in a sheltered employment. This kind of job is where a veteran works for a family member or friend. It can also be where a boss gives a veteran breaks that he may not give others.

To qualify for IU, there is a complicated formula. A veteran must provide evidence showing he is unable to work in both a physical and a sedentary work environment. VA gives this rating when a veteran has been hospitalized for 21 days or longer. If a disabled veteran has a permanent and total disability rating, they do not have to worry about getting scheduled for VA re-examinations. The VA has already made the determination that the medical evidence shows the disability is not going to improve when they found the disability to be permanent.

Veterans who are awarded a permanent and total rating may be eligible for additional benefits, including:. The key to emerging from a reexamination with your benefits unscathed is to make sure you have compelling evidence of your continuing disability. To find out about what a VA disability lawyer can do for you, call for a free case evaluation. This rating puts a numerical value on the severity of your disability.

Your rating determines the amount you receive in monthly disability compensation. Connect With Us facebook instagram pinterest twitter youtube. Enter your email for updates. Name Required First Last. Email Required. Related Articles. Individual Unemployability Benefit.