Disability Compensation if I Can't Work

What Is Individual Unemployability?

Individual Unemployability is a part of VA's disability compensation program that allows VA to pay certain veterans compensation at the 100% rate, even though VA has not rated their service-connected disabilities at the total level.

What Is the Eligibility Criteria for Individual Unemployability?

A veteran must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his/her service-connected disabilities. Additionally, a veteran must have:

•· One service-connected disability ratable at 60 percent or more, OR

• Two or more service-connected disabilities, at least one disability ratable at 40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more.

How Do I Apply?

• Submit VA Form 21-8940, "Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability"
• Send application to your nearest VA Regional Office.

Can I Work?

Veterans who are in receipt of Individual Unemployability benefits may work as long as it is not considered substantially gainful employment. The employment must be considered marginal employment.

• Substantially gainful employment is defined as employment at which non-disabled individuals earn their livelihood with earnings comparable to the particular occupation in the community where the veteran resides.

• Marginal employment is generally deemed to exist when a veteran's earned income does not exceed the amount established by the U.S. Census Bureau as the poverty level for the veteran only.

What If I Don't Meet the Percentage Criteria?

Special consideration will be given for veterans when the following criteria is met:

• The veteran is considered unemployable due to a service-connected disability(ies) but fails to meet the minimum percentage standards, OR

• There is evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances to impairment of earning capacity due to disabilities (for example, interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization)

Note 1: Veterans may have to complete an employment questionnaire once a year in order for VA to determine continued eligibility to Individual Unemployability.

Note 2: Veterans already receiving IU occasionally receive a notice from the VA that they are ordered to another Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination to evaluate "improvement" in their condition. If the examination indicates sufficient improvement the VA make take away the IU benefits. If you receive this type of notice you contact us immediately for advice on how to proceed.

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