TDIU Calculator & Eligibility Guide
Determine your eligibility for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). Learn about the 60/40 rule and whether your disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment.
Current Disability Rating
What is your current combined VA disability rating?
What is TDIU?
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a VA benefit that allows veterans to receive compensation at the 100% disability rate, even if their combined schedular rating is less than 100%. This benefit recognizes that some veterans cannot maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected disabilities.
TDIU bridges the gap between a veteran's actual disability rating and their inability to work. For example, a veteran with a 70% combined rating who cannot work due to their service-connected conditions may be eligible for TDIU and receive compensation at the 100% rate.
Key Benefits of TDIU:
- Receive 100% disability compensation rate ($3,807.23/month in 2025)
- Eligible for dependents' allowances at the 100% rate
- Access to VA healthcare at the highest priority level
- Eligibility for additional VA benefits and programs
- Protection from having benefits reduced due to work attempts
Important: TDIU is not automatic and requires a separate application with evidence demonstrating how your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
Schedular Requirements for TDIU (The 60/40 Rule)
To be eligible for TDIU, you must meet specific schedular requirements related to your disability ratings. These requirements are commonly known as the "60/40 rule":
Option 1: Single Disability
Requirement: One service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher
Example: Veteran with PTSD rated at 70% who cannot maintain employment due to symptoms
This is often the most straightforward path to TDIU eligibility for veterans with severe single conditions.
Option 2: Multiple Disabilities
Requirement: Combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one disability rated at 40% or higher
Example: Veteran with 50% PTSD + 30% back injury = 65% combined rating
This path allows veterans with multiple moderate disabilities to qualify for TDIU.
Extraschedular TDIU
In rare cases, veterans who don't meet the standard schedular requirements may still qualify for TDIU if they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances. This requires showing that their specific combination of disabilities creates unemployability despite not meeting the 60/40 rule.
Remember: Meeting the schedular requirements is just the first step. You must also demonstrate that your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
What is 'Substantially Gainful Employment'?
"Substantially gainful employment" is work that provides income above the federal poverty threshold for a single person. The VA considers both the amount of income and the sustainability of employment when evaluating TDIU claims.
2025 Poverty Guidelines (Substantially Gainful Employment Threshold):
- Single person: $15,060 annually ($1,255 monthly)
- Two-person household: $20,440 annually ($1,703 monthly)
- Three-person household: $25,820 annually ($2,152 monthly)
- Four-person household: $31,200 annually ($2,600 monthly)
Factors the VA Considers
- • Income level: Must be below poverty threshold
- • Work sustainability: Can you maintain consistent employment?
- • Work environment: Special accommodations needed?
- • Job performance: Frequent absences or performance issues?
- • Career progression: Ability to advance or change jobs?
Protected Work Environments
- • Family business: Working for family members
- • Sheltered workshop: Specialized work environments
- • Marginal employment: Irregular or part-time work
- • Volunteer work: Unpaid activities don't count against TDIU
Important: Even if you're currently working, you may still be eligible for TDIU if your employment is in a protected environment, below the poverty threshold, or unsustainable due to your disabilities.
TDIU Case Study Examples
Here are real-world examples of veterans who might qualify for TDIU:
Case Study 1: Single Disability TDIU
Veteran Profile: Former infantry soldier with severe PTSD rated at 70%, no other service-connected conditions.
Employment History: Worked various jobs since discharge but unable to maintain employment due to panic attacks, hypervigilance, and difficulty with interpersonal relationships. Longest job lasted 8 months.
TDIU Eligibility: Meets schedular requirement (70% single disability) and demonstrates inability to maintain substantially gainful employment due to PTSD symptoms. Likely eligible.
Case Study 2: Multiple Disabilities TDIU
Veteran Profile: Navy veteran with 50% PTSD, 40% back injury, 20% tinnitus (combined rating: 76%).
Employment History: Attempted desk jobs but chronic pain requires frequent breaks and medical appointments. PTSD symptoms cause concentration problems and interpersonal conflicts. Currently unemployed for 18 months.
TDIU Eligibility: Meets schedular requirement (76% combined with 50% single disability) and shows unemployability due to combination of physical and mental health conditions. Likely eligible.
Case Study 3: Working Veteran TDIU
Veteran Profile: Air Force veteran with 60% anxiety disorder, currently working part-time at family business earning $800/month.
Employment Situation: Can only work in protected family environment with flexible schedule. Previous attempts at regular employment failed due to anxiety attacks and inability to handle workplace stress.
TDIU Eligibility: Meets schedular requirement and income is below poverty threshold. Employment is in protected environment and not substantially gainful. Likely eligible.
Case Study 4: Not Eligible for TDIU
Veteran Profile: Army veteran with 30% PTSD, 20% knee injury, 10% tinnitus (combined rating: 51%).
Employment Status: Working full-time as an accountant earning $45,000/year. Has held the same job for 3 years with good performance reviews.
TDIU Eligibility: Does not meet schedular requirements (no single disability at 60%+ and combined rating below 70%) and is maintaining substantially gainful employment. Not eligible.
TDIU Application Process FAQ
Sgt. Alex Carter (Ret.)
Sgt. Alex Carter is a retired U.S. Army NCO and an accredited VA Claims Agent with over 10 years of experience helping fellow veterans navigate the complexities of the VA benefits system. His mission is to provide clear, accurate, and accessible information to ensure veterans receive the benefits they have earned.
All content and calculations on this site are fact-checked against the latest VA regulations and the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Book C) to ensure accuracy and reliability for the veteran community.