When it comes to VA disability compensation, the goal for most veterans is getting a 100 percent rating. The road to a 100 percent rating can be long and confusing. There are also different ways to get to a 100 percent rating. Below we will discuss the different types of 100 percent disability ratings.
Total disability based on 100 percent scheduler rating: This is when a veteran’s single service-connected disability or alternatively, the veteran’s combined service-connected disabilities total to 100 percent.
Total Disability/Individual Unemployability:
Better known as TDIU or IU is a type of rating that can be a bit more complicated than just a regular 100 percent scheduler rating. TDIU is considered once a veteran has made a request to be paid at the 100 percent rate even though his or her disabilities do not combine to 100 percent. A veteran may file a claim for this rating when he or she is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment because their service-connected disability keeps them from doing so. Substantially gainful employment for VA purposes is defined by the amount of earned from an employed position. The total amount of earnings from a job is considered gainful if they are above the poverty level. It is also defined as competitive employment where a non-disabled individual may ear a comparable income to the particular occupation in the same area.
In order to qualify for TDIU or IU, a veteran must have one disability rated at 60 percent or one disability rated at 40 percent with enough additional disabilities that combine to a rating of 70 percent or above. It is important to keep in mind that just because the initial criteria for IU are met, does not mean that a 100 percent disability rating will be awarded. A veteran will need to provide medical evidence that shows that they are unable to work in both a physical and a sedentary work environment.
Temporary 100 Percent Disability Rating:
This rating is given to veterans who have been hospitalized for 21 days or longer or had surgery for a service-connected disability that requires at least a 30 day convalescence period. The VA will pay the veteran at the 100 percent rate for the extent of the hospital stay or convalescence period.
Permanent and Total Rating:
The permanent and total rating is given when the VA recognizes that a veteran’s service-connected disabilities have no probability of improvement. This means that the veteran will remain at the 100 percent rating permanently without the need for future examinations.
Veteran often times make the mistake of requesting a permanent and total rating because they want the Chapter 35 educational benefits for their dependents. It is important to keep in mind that whenever a permanent and total rating is requested, all service-connected disabilities will be subject for re-evaluation. If improvement is noted during a re-examination, a reduction from the 100 percent rating may be proposed. It is important to note that most ratings are not considered permanent and are subject to future review.
