What is TDIU, or Total Disability Individual Unemployability?
TDIU, or Total Disability Individual Unemployability, is a benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans who are unable to maintain a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities. It is a form of compensation that pays at the 100% disability rate, even if the veteran’s combined rating is less than 100%. TDIU is not a permanent disability rating and can be reduced or revoked if the veteran’s condition improves.
What is Permanent and Total Disability (P&T)?
Permanent and Total Disability (P&T) is a disability rating assigned by the VA for veterans whose service-connected disabilities are considered permanent and total, meaning the veteran is unable to work due to their service-connected disabilities. P&T is a permanent disability rating that provides veterans with additional benefits, such as eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance and CHAMPVA healthcare benefits for their dependents.
What is the Difference Between TDIU and P&T?
The main difference between TDIU and P&T is that TDIU is a temporary benefit that can be reduced or revoked if the veteran’s condition improves, while P&T is a permanent disability rating.
TDIU is awarded based on a veteran’s inability to work, while P&T is awarded based on the permanence and totality of the veteran’s service-connected disabilities.
Additionally, veterans who receive TDIU may be required to submit annual paperwork to maintain their benefits, while veterans who are rated as P&T generally do not have to submit paperwork to maintain their benefits.
Furthermore, veterans who are rated as P&T also have additional benefits available to them, such as the ability to apply for additional grants or aid from charitable organizations and the VA.
Additionally, P&T status protects the veteran’s disability compensation from being reduced or revoked, even if their condition improves.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for TDIU, a veteran must have a service-connected disability that prevents them from obtaining or maintaining employment at a substantially gainful level. This means that their annual income is below the poverty threshold, which is determined by the VA each year. In contrast, P&T is assigned to veterans with a service-connected disability or disabilities that are permanent and total, meaning that their condition is unlikely to improve and that they are unable to work due to their disability.
In summary, while both TDIU and P&T provide additional benefits to disabled veterans, TDIU is a temporary benefit that can be reduced or revoked if the veteran’s condition improves, while P&T is a permanent disability rating that provides additional benefits and protections to veterans whose service-connected disabilities are considered permanent and total.