In TDIU Cases, Gathering Employment Records Becomes Critical

Veterans who are unemployable due to service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Essentially, a TDIU permits a veteran who is not rated at the 100% level to be paid at the 100% level, if he or she can’t work because of service-connected disabilities.

In a December 2013 letter to its evaluators, VA clarified the importance of obtaining precise employment records that indicate when the veteran was working and why he or she was terminated.

How Does VA Get My Employment Records?

Although VA will generally attempt to obtain these records for the veteran if the veteran provides sufficient information to allow VA to do so, it turns out that many employers are simply referring VA to a third-party website to obtain the records rather than simply sending along the records themselves. As such, this is one of those instances where it is not necessarily best for the veteran to rely on VA to obtain all necessary documents. If an employer doesn’t provide the VA with the information it is looking for, it will take extra time for VA to contact the employer again, perhaps slowing things down.

It might not be a bad idea for veterans to try to gather employment records on their own and then submit them directly to VA.

Need Help with a TDIU Claim?

Contact Veterans Help Group for a free VA disability case evaluation. Or read news and updates about TDIU claims here on our blog.