Many veterans have difficulty keeping a job because of service-connected disabilities. Pain from physical conditions can make it difficult to focus and concentrate. Medications can cause side effects which do the same thing. Mental conditions like PTSD can make it difficult to work with others in a job setting.
Sometimes, a combination of several different service-connected conditions makes it difficult to work. Other times, one service-connected condition alone is severe enough to make you unemployable.
Certain VA ratings for certain service-connected conditions often cause unemployability because of the symptoms VA requires to qualify for these ratings. This article will discuss some of the VA ratings between 50 and 70 percent that could make you eligible for a 100 percent rating for TDIU if you apply.
A 70 percent rating for a mental health condition like PTSD
To qualify for a 70 percent PTSD rating, a veteran must demonstrate symptoms that make it very difficult to work. Some of these symptoms include:
Problems with impulse control
Deficiencies in work, judgment, thinking, and mood
Depression or panic that affects the ability to think and function independently
Difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances in a work setting
Many of the VA ratings I focus on in this article come close to including the inability to keep a job in VA’s definition of the rating criteria. This is the case with VA’s standard for granting a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches.
VA defines the 50 percent rating level as “with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.” The last five words of the definition almost point directly to the basic idea of TDIU. To receive a 50 percent rating, your migraine attacks must produce severe economic inadaptability.
One reason that the severity and frequency of your headaches could produce severe economic inadaptability is that you cannot cope with a normal work schedule. If you have frequent severe migraine headaches, you will have difficulty keeping up at work. Your employer may not keep your position open for you.
If you have a 50% VA migraine headache rating, you should consider whether you would qualify for TDIU benefits. After all, your headaches must cause severe economic inadaptability to even qualify for this rating.
A 60 percent rating for a heart condition
One of the ways that VA rates heart conditions is through the measurement of ejection fraction in left ventricular dysfunction. Veterans with an ejection fraction under 30% should qualify for a 100% VA rating. But, many veterans have an ejection fraction that is low but does not quite reach the 30 percent level.
Veterans can also qualify for a 60 percent rating through VA’s symptom based MET method. Veterans who pass out of experience chest pain, dizziness, or fatigue as a result of walking relatively slowly or other light exercise could qualify for a 60 percent rating.
Symptoms from limited activity like this could make it very difficult to work. While not all jobs require physical exertion, many do.
Because of the standards required to get a 60 percent heart rating, veterans with a 60 percent heart rating should strongly consider TDIU if they cannot keep a job. A veteran without the education and skills to perform a less physical job may have particular difficult maintaining employment as a result of a 60 percent heart rating.
Why do I want to qualify for a TDIU rating?
TDIU can provide a big benefit to veterans who cannot work. Instead of receiving just partial VA benefits, veterans qualifying for TDIU receive full VA benefits at the 100 percent rating level.
Without using TDIU, VA math can make it very difficult to get to a 100 percent rating level.
Can I qualify for a TDIU rating even if I do not have one of the ratings discussed in this article?
Yes. This article only focuses on a few of VA’s ratings. If your service-connected disabilities cause you to be unable to maintain employment, you should consider applying for TDIU. This may occur because of one particular service-connected disability or a combination of two or more.
Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims. He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.
You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.
Jessica, Travis, and his team are nothing short of angels. I was not making progress, so I spent 6 months researching law firms. I'm beyond grateful that they took the time to help me and I'm confident that no other firm could have gotten the same results.
The process was the most difficult and mentally defeating experience of my life, but they took 100% of the bourdon off of my shoulders. They communicated every step of the long and overly complicated process. I'm forever indebted to these people and I will never forget them. Every Christmas I pause to think about my guys who didn't make it home, and I'll keep this team in my thoughts during those hard times.
I know it's difficult, but there are people like Travis and his team out there willing and able to help. To the warriors, keep your head up and stay in the fight.Michael
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Travis, and Jessica at Perkins Studdard! They went above and beyond for me and did everything they could to help. Their kindness, professionalism, patience, and genuine care truly meant a lot to me. I’m incredibly grateful for everything they did and the way they treated me. I highly recommend Travis and Jessica at Perkins Studdard to anyone looking for people who genuinely care about their customers. Thank you both for everything!Joe Tarno
They got me over $100,000 in back pay. Got me to 100% P&T.James Powell
I initially started my workers’ compensation case with another attorney. Although he was a good attorney, I eventually realized that I needed a different level of communication and support throughout my case. After searching online, I came across Jason Perkins and decided to give him a try. I can truly say that I have not regretted that decision.
One of the things I appreciated most about Jason and his team was how responsive and communicative they were. Having an attorney who kept me informed was extremely important to me. I never felt like I had to constantly call and ask what was happening with my case or where things stood. Whenever there was movement or an important update, Jason and his team made sure I knew about it. I always felt informed and included throughout the process.
Jason was also straightforward with me and consistently gave me what he believed was the best advice for my situation. My case was a lengthy process, but having an attorney I trusted and knowing that my case was being handled properly made that process much easier to get through. I never felt like I was just another case or that I was being left in the dark.
Looking back, I am very glad that I made the decision to switch attorneys and work with Jason Perkins. He and his team gave me the communication, guidance, and reassurance I needed throughout a very long process. I would absolutely recommend Jason to anyone looking for a workers’ compensation attorney who will communicate with you, keep you informed, and genuinely work to get the best possible outcome for your case.Christina Barrett
Jason did a great job very fast and efficient got me a bankroll in less than 30 days i highly recommendReality Rap
OMG, I wish I could articulate how Fantastic (5 stars) my experiences have been having Travis Studdard represent me over the years. He is amazing at what he does and he has done so much for me I can never thank him enough. Jessica is also Fantastic and always responds expeditiously.
I highly recommend Perkins Studdard LLC to represent you!!
Thank you for all your fantastic work representing me, I sincerely, appreciate it!!keith morrow
Jessica and Travis listened and worked very hard getting us a really great disability payment. Thank you so much for listening and every month we appreciate your time and energy. Thanks againJeannie Brown
Working with Jason was an absolute pleasure if I had any questions or concerns they were right there with the right answers I would recommend Perkins and Studdard to anyoneRickey
I recently needed a lawyer for a Workers Compensation Inj. The Dr. I saw ordered back surgery. The company declined to approve the surgery. So i went to the Law firm of Perkins & Studdard, as they were highly recommended…Mr. Studdard is a Veterans Affairs Lawyer. Mr. Perkins & his staff handled my case… every person in the firm were nice, helpful, and showed empathy for my situation. Mr. Perkins is very thorough & at the same time worked diligently for me. He got me compensated fairly. If not for this Law firm im not sure what i would’ve done. Thankfully they lowered my stress and communicated regularly.
If you need help with an injury etc… Perkins & Studdard is who I highly recommend!!!tim copley
After my VA claim was denied, I felt defeated, depressed, and overwhelmed. I spent a lot of time researching different agencies, only to find that many of them made promises they couldn't back up and were not properly accredited.
I decided to give Perkins Studdard LLC a chance because they were accredited, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. From the very beginning, Jessica, Travis, and the entire team were professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping me navigate the VA claims and appeals process.
Their guidance, communication, and dedication made a difficult process much easier to manage. Thanks to their hard work and expertise, I finally received the benefits I had been fighting for.
I highly recommend Perkins Studdard LLC to any veteran seeking assistance with a VA claim or appeal. Don't waste your time elsewhere—this team truly cares and delivers outstanding service.nelson figueroa
I understand you want your VA claim to be done as quickly as possible. But remember the ultimate goal – to win your VA disability compensation claim.
You may eventually get there on your own, but it may be after a series of decisions by the Regional Office and Board of Veterans Appeals. Sometimes claims are appealed and remanded several times, which can cause a claim to drag on for years. If you are interested in avoiding unnecessary delay in your claim and want to do everything you can to maximize your chances of success, it is probably a good idea for you to consult with an accredited veterans disability attorney.
We would be happy to talk to you. If you would like a free consultation with our Perkins Studdard veterans disability attorneys just click here or give us a call to begin the process.
