Veterans who can’t work because of conditions connected to military service can qualify veterans unemployability benefits with a 60% va disability rating.
Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) pays the same monthly amount as 100% VA rating, In this article, we will discuss TDIU benefits and what disabilities qualify for a 60% disability rating.
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In this article about 60% VA disability:
What are TDIU benefits?
TDIU benefits are monthly tax-free payments that the VA gives to veterans who are unable to get a job or maintain gainful employment due to a disability caused or aggravated by their military service. The VA can issue TDIU benefits at the same compensation level as they would someone with a 100% disability rating. Based on the current VA disability compensation rates, you could receive monthly payments of $3,737.85 or more.
TDIU eligibility
Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) pays the same amount as a 100% rating for veterans who struggle to hold down a steady job that supports them financially (known as substantially gainful employment) because of their service-connected disability. Odd jobs, which the VA calls “marginal employment,” do not count as substantially gainful.
Veterans are eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
This is why having a condition rated at 60% can be a critical piece in receiving TDIU from the VA.
Why is a 60% disability rating important?
A 60% rating is important for TDIU benefits because it is the minimum rating that you must receive before you can qualify for these benefits.
As discussed above, if you have one service-connected disability rated at 60%, then you may be eligible for these benefits. However, a 60% rating is also important if you have multiple service-connected disabilities that meet the below conditions. If you meet these conditions, your multiple disabilities can be combined and considered as one disability that would need to meet a 60% rating TDIU qualification.
These conditions are:
- Upper or Lower Extremity Disability: One or both of your arms or one or both of your legs are disabled.
- Single Accident Disabilities: You were in an accident during military service, and you have multiple disabilities that resulted from this single accident.
- Disabilities Affecting One Body System: One of your internal body systems is impacted by several service-connected disabilities.
- Combat-Related Injuries: You suffered multiple injuries during a combat-related action.
- Disabilities Sustained as a Prisoner of War: You were a prisoner of war and you have multiple disabilities that have resulted from the time you were held captive.
What conditions qualify for 60% VA disability rating?
If you are a veteran with a disability who is not able to obtain or maintain gainful employment, then you should look into whether your disability qualifies for a 60% rating either on its own or when combined with another condition.
Here are a few common conditions that veterans suffer from that can qualify for a 60% rating:
Sciatica
Sciatica is pain that occurs across the sciatic nerve. This nerve travels from your lower back area, throughout your hips, bottom, and legs. Sciatica is usually triggered when the spine narrows or a herniated disk squeezes the sciatic nerve resulting in swelling, numbness, and pain.
The VA can assign a disability rating between 10% to 80% for sciatica. If your sciatic nerve is seriously paralyzed with noted muscular atrophy, you should qualify for a 60% rating and could receive TDIU benefits if your symptoms prevent you from working.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear, leading to hearing loss or vertigo.
The VA can assign a disability rating between 30% to 100% for this condition. If you suffer from Meniere’s disease and your hearing is affected to the point where you experience vertigo and cerebellar gait with or without tinnitus, between 1 and 4 instances monthly, then you may qualify for a 60% rating.
Neck or Lumbosacral Strain
Neck or cervical strain is a pain in the muscles and tendons of the neck area. Many veterans suffer from this condition due to the injuries they receive in military service. If you suffer from whiplash, disc injury, a pinched nerve, or damage to the spinal cord, you may experience neck pain that could qualify you for disability benefits.
Lumbosacral strain is pain in the lower back due to injured muscles and tendons in this area. Many veterans experience this condition due to straining or injuring their lower back from in-service duties or combat.
The VA can assign you a 60% disability rating for neck or lumbosacral strain If you have debilitating occurrences of either condition for a minimum of six weeks within the past year.
Knee Flexion Limitation
Knee flexion limitation is the reduced ability to move your knee due to knee injury. Veterans who experience knee injuries during military service may now suffer from this condition.
The VA assigns a 60% disability rating to veterans who experience limited knee flexion at an angle of 45 degrees or more.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes joint inflammation and damage to your internal and external body systems. Veterans experience this condition due to physical injury, chemical exposure, or trauma during service.
The VA disability rating for rheumatoid arthritis ranges from 20% to 100%. You may be eligible for a 60% rating if you experience debilitating flare-ups of your symptoms four or more times within 12 months or less than four times over a longer period. You may also be eligible for a 60% rating if you experience weight loss and anemia paired with debilitating joint pain.
“They brought me from being stuck at 30%. Denial after denial. Finally rated at 70%. Appealed for total and unable to work disability since 2014. Without Woods and Woods, I would still be stuck at 30%.”
F.H.
How Woods and Woods can help
If you are a veteran and you are not able to work because of a disability, you may be entitled to TDIU benefits. Unfortunately, the VA denies thousands of TDIU claims each year. Winning a VA claim is a difficult task.
Our experienced team has filed thousands of TDIU benefits appeals on behalf of our clients. Our team works with vocational experts who can help to prove if your conditions make you unemployable. Plus, you only pay if we win your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation to see if we can help with your case.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
VA math is tricky because it’s combining and subtracting from 100% ability instead of adding up disabilities. That means the 40% rating is 40% of the remaining 40% left after your first disability. That is only 16% which adds up to 76%, which rounds up to an 80% VA disability rating. Read more about VA math here.
A 60% rating is important because it is the minimum rating that you must receive before you can qualify for TDIU benefits,
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
