If you are struggling to maintain suitable employment due to your service-connected disabilities, you may be eligible for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits. To increase your chances of being approved, there are some common mistakes you should avoid.
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for TDIU
Veterans benefits attorneys agree that the following mistakes will jeopardize an otherwise valid TDIU claim:
- Not listing all of your service-connected disabilities. If you have one condition that causes significantly more symptoms on a day-to-day basis, it’s tempting to only list that disability when applying for TDIU. However, you should list all of your service-connected conditions to give the VA a full picture of the challenges you are facing.
- Including non-service-connected disabilities. Regardless of their severity, the VA can’t consider the effects of your non-service-connected disabilities when evaluating your TDIU application. This makes them irrelevant to your claim.
- Minimizing your symptoms. Now is not the time to try to be “tough” by downplaying your struggles. Be completely honest about your level of impairment—even if talking about your symptoms makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Maintaining full-time employment. If you’re currently working full-time, you won’t qualify for TDIU unless you can prove your job qualifies as a protected work environment or sheltered employment. If you’re able to maintain employment at the time of your application, the VA will assume you can continue to do so.
- Submitting insufficient evidence of impairment. In addition to medical evidence, statements from family, friends, coworkers, and supervisors can provide support for your claim that your condition limits your ability to work. Employment records and testimony from vocational experts can also be very helpful in building a strong claim for benefits.
Request a Consultation
If you are having trouble working due to a service-connected disability and think you might qualify for TDIU benefits, the office of Sean Kendall, Attorney-at-Law, is here to help. Contact us today to request a consultation to discuss what our Veterans benefits attorneys can do to help you access the benefits you need to provide for yourself and your family.
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