As a veteran dealing with the effects of a service-connected disability, you may have come across the term Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
This benefit can oftentimes be a game-changer for veterans, offering financial support when your disability prevents you from maintaining gainful employment.
Navigating the path to securing these benefits, however, isn’t always an easy thing to do.
Claims can often be turned down for a number of reasons, adding more hurdles to your journey.
In this blog post, we intend to help you understand the common reasons why TDIU claims may get denied.
More importantly, we’ll share solutions and strategies to avoid these issues.
Our goal is to help empower you with the knowledge to successfully navigate the TDIU claims process and secure the benefits you’ve earned through your service.
What is TDIU? A Brief Overview
Total Disability Individual Unemployability, often abbreviated as TDIU, is a part of the VA’s disability compensation program.
This benefit is designed for veterans like you, whose service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining what is known as ‘substantially gainful employment.’
In other words, if your disabilities make it hard for you to get or keep a job, TDIU is there to ensure you receive the financial support you need.
The important thing to remember is that TDIU isn’t about the ability to work any job whatsoever, but the ability to maintain employment that provides you with a certain income level, often what it means when they say “gainful” employment.
What is the eligibility criteria for TDIU?
To qualify for TDIU, you need to meet certain requirements. These requirements include:
- One service-connected disability rated at 60% or more, or
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with a combined rating of 70%, with at least one disability rated 40% or higher (70 40 rule)
- Unable to maintain substantial gainful employment as a result of these disabilities
Remember, ‘substantial gainful employment’ does not include marginal employment, such as odd jobs, and it doesn’t consider work in a protected environment, like a family business.
For everything you need to know about TDIU or Marginal Employment, check out our additional resources below.
What are the common reasons for TDIU claim denials?
There are several reasons that your TDIU claim may be denied. They include:
- Inadequate medical evidence
- Lack of connection between disability and unemployability
- Incomplete or incorrectly filled out forms
Let’s go over each of these in a bit more detail.
Inadequate Medical Evidence
Perhaps one of the most common reasons TDIU claims are denied by VA is due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence.
The VA needs robust proof of your service-connected disabilities and the extent of your impairment.
If your medical records are incomplete, or the VA believes they do not demonstrate that your disabilities prevent you from maintaining gainful employment, your claim could be denied.
Lack of Connection Between Disability and Unemployability
Another common reason for denial is failing to establish a clear connection, or nexus, between your service-connected disability and your unemployability.
This means you must demonstrate that your inability to maintain gainful employment is directly because of your service-connected disability, not due to other factors like age or non-service-connected health conditions.
Incomplete or Incorrectly Filled Out Forms
The process of claiming TDIU involves a fair amount of paperwork, including some complex forms.
If these forms are not completed correctly, are missing information or if essential forms are omitted entirely, your claim may be denied.
Common errors include:
- Not fully listing all of your disabilities
- Not providing enough detail about how your disabilities affect your work
- Not including supporting documentation (like medical records)
Remember–the VA can only make a decision based on the information they have.
Ensuring that you submit complete, accurate and well-documented forms is crucial for your claim’s success.
Strategies to Avoid TDIU Claim Denials
Thoroughly Compile Medical Evidence
To help prevent denials due to lack of medical evidence, be sure to provide comprehensive medical documentation to support your claim.
This can include:
- Medical records detailing your disabilities
- Statements from your doctors explaining how your disabilities affect your ability to work
- Results of relevant medical tests
Including all of this paints a clearer picture of your situation for the VA, improving your chances of a favorable decision.
For more information about the importance of evidence, check out our guide below.
Establish a Clear Nexus
Demonstrate a clear nexus between your service-connected disability and your inability to maintain gainful employment.
This could include:
- Detailed doctors’ statements discussing how your disabilities directly impact your capacity to work.
- Personal statements outlining specific difficulties you encounter in the workplace due to your disabilities.
By linking your disability and unemployability directly, you give the VA the necessary evidence to understand your situation fully.
If you’d like help crafting the perfect nexus letter to help your case, we offer a detailed post explaining exactly how to do it.
Ensuring Accurate and Complete Applications
Finally, you should always take your time with your application forms.
Make sure they are accurate, complete and fully communicate your circumstances.
- List all of your disabilities
- Provide detailed descriptions of how each affects your daily life and work
- Don’t rush! It’s important to provide a thorough application versus a quick one
If you’re uncertain about anything, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance from a VA-accredited representative, Veteran Service Organization (VSO) or a legal professional who specializes in VA claims, like Hill & Ponton.
For a detailed guide on how to fill out VA Form 21-8940, the application for Total Disability Individual Unemployability benefits check out the link below.
Securing TDIU benefits can be a challenging process, but remember: you’re not alone!
There are many resources and forms of support available. By understanding common reasons for claim denials and how to avoid them, you’re already better equipped to navigate the TDIU claims process.
Are you considering appealing for TDIU benefits? We may be able to help you with your TDIU claim. Fill out a case evaluation form for more information.
