In America, individuals are heavily reliant on federal benefits program. The VA disability compensation is also designed to help the honorably discharged veterans who served the country and contributed significant part of their lives. Among the initiatives Total Disability and Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is one of the most vital programs for veterans who are disabled and not able to work or earn wages.
A key eligibility criteria for TDIU is VA70/40 rule that needs veterans to have a minimum combined disability rating of 70% with at least one individual Rated at 40% or Above. In addition, this rule assists assuring the veterans with multiple disabilities received proper financial payment if they cannot sustain gainful employment.
VA 70/40 Rule for TDIU
The Veterans are the Heroes of the Nation who must be appreciate for their sacrifices and efforts. These programs are way to show appreciation to the veterans. In today’s modern world, inflation is rising constantly due to which the issue of poverty is increasing. Individuals with low wages are not able to manage their daily expenses due to the rising costs of goods and services.
In this article, detailed information on VA 70/40 Rule for TDIU is explained and how this rule applies can assist service members navigate the complex procedure of the claim. But do not worry this article will clear your all doubts like eligibility criteria and how you can apply for the benefits.
VA 70/40 Rule for TDIU: Overview
| Article on | VA 70/40 Rule for TDIU |
| Country | U.S. |
| Department | Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
| Eligibility | American Veterans who are honorably discharged and have service connected disability |
| Amount | As per eligibility |
| Payment date | First day of month in case of holiday last day of previous month |
| Category | Government Aid |
| Official Website | Va.gov |
VA 70/40 Rule for TDIU Explained
Millions of veterans eagerly wait for VA benefits, as this helps them maintain their living standards and fight inflation. This rule is a guideline set by the VA to determine eligibility for Total Disability based on Veterans Unemployability (TDIU) benefits. TDIU provides 100% compensation to veterans who are not able to maintain gainful employment due to their service connected conditions, even if their official VA disability rating assigned to them is lower than 100%. Veterans experience multiple service related disabilities when they get combined it becomes difficult for the veteran to work.
However, the VA disability ratings are not easy to add together, they follow a formula that considers the percentage of remaining functional ability. This is where the 70/40 rule becomes crucial in Evaluating Eligibility for TDIU. There are mainly three conditions associated with the VA70/40 rule which are the service member must have multiple service related disabilities, not just single disability, at least one of the disability from all the disabilities must be 40% or above. In addition, the combined VA disability rating is 70% or more on the basis of VA math calculation.
If the veterans is completing these conditions as well as can show that their disability stops them from securing or maintain a gainful employment they will be eligible for TDIU compensation at the 100% disability rate.
How the VA calculates the Combined Disability ratings
Veterans with numerous disabilities don’t receive simple sum of their ratings. In their case VA uses a Formula to Calculate a Combined Disability Rating by considering the efficacy lost due to every condition. Systematic process of VA disability rating system is in following:
- The disability which is highest rated is considered first.
- The next highest rating which is observed is applied to the remaining efficacy of the service member of U.S. military. This process keeps repeating until all the disabilities are accounted for.
| Disability | VA Rating |
| Hearing Loss | 10% |
| Neuralgai (Sciatica) | 20% |
| President Depressive Disorder | 30% |
| Lumbosacral Strain | 40% |
Using the formula of VA math, the combined disability rating is 68% which round up to 70% completing the 70/40 rule. Since the lumbosacral strain is rated at 40% this veteran meets the TDIU eligibility requirements under the 70/40 rule.
Understanding Total Disability Based on Individuals Unemployability (TDIU)
In today’s contemporary world, TDIU is a Special Benefit which enables service member who can’t sustain good employment because of their service connected disabilities in order to receive payment at the 100% disability rate. If in case their actual disability rating is lower still they are eligible of the TDIU benefit. It is not an automatic procedure individuals must have to prove that they are unable to work or earn good wages due to their service connected disabilities. Which means submitting your medical records, showing employment history as well as supporting evidence to show how their conditions Prevent them From Maintaining Stable Income. There are mainly two primary ways a service member can qualify for TDIU:
- Single Disability Pathway: A service member with one Disability is Rated at 60% or above might qualify.
- 70/40 Rule pathway: A service member with combined rating of 70% or above with minimum One Disability condition rate at least 40% might qualify.
How to Apply for TDIU Benefits in 2025
To apply the benefits of TDIU benefits you must follow the below steps:
Step-1: Veterans can start by Submitting TDIU Application on VA https://www.va.gov/ Official Website.
Step-2: Veterans must prove their service connected disabilities which are stopping them in attaining a gainful employment.
Step-3: Veterans must have to fill the VA Form 21-8940, this is a must complete form to get the TDIU benefits.
Step-4: Veterans must have to submit the medical records showing that they have military service connected disabilities and They are not Able to Earn a Stable Income.
Step-5: Veterans must have to submit employment history such as job losses or difficulties in maintaining Employment due to their Service Related Disabilities.
Step-6: Veterans must have to constantly check the status of their application on the official website of VA or they can also seek Assistance from a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Representative they will help them raising claim and update about the current status of their application.
FAQs
Who is eligible for VA TDIU benefits?
Veterans with multiple service disabilities among them one disability must get minimum 40% or above rating from VA.
How the VA calculates combined disability rating?
VA uses their formula to calculate the combined rating but one disability must be rated at 40% or above.
What to do if your TDIU claim is denied?Â
Veterans can request a higher level review or submit a supplemental claim.
Which Form do veterans need to submit to get the TDIU benefits?
Veterans must submit Form 21-8940 to get the benefits of TDIU.
James is a financial journalist with 6 years of experience, specializing in government aid, finance, and the latest economic news. He simplifies complex financial topics to make them easy for readers to understand, covering everything from government programs to market trends. With a background in both finance and journalism, James provides clear, accurate, and timely insights, helping readers stay informed about financial matters that impact their daily lives.