Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a VA benefit designed to support veterans whose service-connected conditions prevent them from maintaining substantial gainful employment. This form of compensation allows veterans to receive disability payments at the 100% rate, even if their combined disability rating is less than 100%. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the most common questions surrounding TDIU for veterans.

What is TDIU?

Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), or simply “unemployability,” allows veterans to be compensated at the 100% disability rate even if their service-connected disabilities do not add up to a 100% rating. The core criterion is the veteran’s inability to maintain substantial gainful employment due to their service-connected disabilities.

According to the VA, substantial gainful employment is generally employment that provides an annual income that exceeds the federal poverty level for one person, which as of January 2025 is $15,060. Therefore, veterans who earn below this threshold—but not necessarily zero income—may still qualify for TDIU.