Many veterans cannot afford to quit working because they won’t have any income. However, understand that working shows your disabilities aren’t affecting you as severely as some other veterans. That doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to them, its just that your disabilities may not be severe enough to reach the 100 percent VA Disability rating. If you are not working and need help now, please contact us by filling out the online contact form or by calling (866) 232-5777.
If you are working or thinking about quitting work because of your disabilities or have accommodations at your job, read more below. We want to stress that working while applying for benefits does not help your claim, but it does not necessarily hurt your claim either.
Is it true – can I get 100 percent VA Disability while working?
Many veterans don’t know they can get a 100 percent VA Disability rating while working. The confusion to disabled veterans is usually because they don’t understand the difference between a 100 percent rating and Individual Unemployability benefits. While can you receive both if you still work, it can be more difficult to prove you are disabled for one benefit. Here is the difference:
100 Percent VA Disability Rating: This rating will be determined by the severity of your mental and physical conditions. The Veterans Administration will assign you a rating of 0-100% for all your mental and physical conditions. You can still work if you are receiving a 100 percent VA Disability rating.
Total Disability Individual Unemployability: These benefits pay the same as a 100% VA Disability rating. However, these benefits are for disabled veterans with employment problems who often cannot reach a 100% VA Disability rating. While you can get Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits while working, you are going to have to show your accommodations at work essentially make you unemployable.
What does a 100 percent VA Disability rating pay monthly?
Currently, the Veterans Administration will pay veterans who obtain a 100% VA Disability rating over $2,900 a month. The VA also offers extra compensation if you have children or parents that are dependent on you. Lots of veterans are also entitled to back pay – which can be a significant amount of money owed to you.
Please remember to use the combined ratings table when trying to figure out what your VA Disability rating should be. Note that a 20% and a 30% rating do not equal a 50% rating.
Monthly Payments: If you are approved for VA Disability benefits, you will start receiving monthly checks from the Veterans Administration. There will be a set amount of money that is sent to you each month. The amount depends upon your VA Disability rating.
Back Pay: Many veterans receive back pay when they are approved for VA Disability benefits. This will be a one-time payment from the VA. It will be for all your missing benefits dating back to your effective date.
Dependent Children and Parents: You should note on your application that you have dependent children and parents. The Veterans Administration does offer extra monthly compensation to veterans that obtain VA Disability benefits.
What if I have accommodations at my job?
If you have accommodations at your job but can’t reach a 100% VA Disability rating, you may want to consider applying for TDIU benefits. In other words, if you have trouble doing your job duties because of your service-connected disabilities, you might be eligible for VA Unemployability benefits for veterans.
Accommodations are restrictions on your work such as: can’t sit or stand too long, miss work due to depression, can’t deal with customers because of PTSD, etc. The VA will consider many different restrictions as accommodations for VA Disability benefits. It can help your claim to gather up statements from your current and former employers stating how your disabilities prevented you from doing then duties your job required.
If you think you are eligible for TDIU benefits, please get help now by filing out the contact form or calling toll-free (866) 232-5777.
What if I was denied my 100% VA Disability rating?
If you were denied a 100% VA Disability rating, you might want to consider talking to a Veterans Disability Benefits lawyer. It won’t cost you anything to ask questions and learn what your legal options are. Woods & Woods never charges for initial claim evaluations. There is only a fee if you hire us and we win your appeal.
