Free TDIU Eligibility Estimator — Veteran 100% Pay

Step 1 of 8

What is your current employment status?

TDIU requires that you be unable to maintain "substantially gainful employment." Marginal and sheltered employment generally do not disqualify you.

💼 Employed full-time, gainful Working at a job paying above the federal poverty threshold ⏰ Employed part-time Working limited hours due to disability 🛠️ Self-employed Running your own business or freelancing 📉 Marginally employed (under poverty line) Working but earning less than $15,060/year (2026 federal poverty threshold) 🏠 Sheltered / family-business employment Work in a protected environment that accommodates your limitations 🔍 Unemployed but looking Seeking work but have not found employment 🚫 Unemployed and unable to work Your service-connected disabilities prevent you from working

Please select your employment status.

Step 2 of 8

What are your service-connected disability ratings?

Schedular TDIU under 38 CFR § 4.16(a) requires either one condition rated 60%+ or a combined rating of 70%+ where at least one condition is rated 40%+.

What's your current combined VA rating?

0% 10–30% 40–50% 60% 70–80% 90% 100%

Please select your combined rating.

What is the highest single rating for one condition?

0% 10–30% 40% 50% 60% 70% or higher

Please select your highest single rating.

Step 3 of 8

How many service-connected conditions are you rated for?

The number of rated conditions determines whether the schedular "combined rating" TDIU path applies under 38 CFR § 4.16(a).

1 rated condition Single condition — needs to be rated 60%+ for schedular TDIU 2 rated conditions Two conditions — combined 70%+ with one at 40%+ may qualify 3 rated conditions 4 or more rated conditions

Please select the number of conditions.

Step 4 of 8

Why are you not working (or only marginally employed)?

Select all that apply. These are the barriers VA looks for when evaluating unemployability. The more you can document, the stronger your claim.

Please select at least one option.

Step 5 of 8

What does your employment history look like?

A sustained history of unemployment due to disability is a strong factor in TDIU claims. VA also looks for a pattern of repeated job loss.

Stopped working entirely 5+ years ago Long-term unemployment strengthens the claim significantly Stopped working 2–5 years ago Stopped working under 2 years ago Reduced to part-time / sheltered work Had to scale back work due to disability Multiple short-term jobs (couldn't keep them) Pattern of job loss due to disability symptoms Still working at a full job currently

Please select an option.

Step 6 of 8

What was your income from employment in the last 12 months?

The VA uses the federal poverty threshold ($15,060/year for a single person in 2026) as the benchmark for "substantially gainful employment." Income below this threshold generally does not disqualify you from TDIU.

$0 — no earned income Under $15,060 Below the 2026 federal poverty threshold — marginal employment $15,060 – $25,000 Above poverty threshold — may impact TDIU eligibility $25,000 – $40,000 Over $40,000 VA typically considers this substantially gainful employment

Please select your income range.

Step 7 of 8

Are you receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI or SSI)?

A Social Security Disability award is strong corroborating evidence that you are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment — VA frequently considers this in TDIU decisions.

✅ Yes — I am receiving SSDI or SSI Strong corroborating evidence for TDIU ❌ No — I have not applied or been awarded ⏳ Pending — application in process 🚫 Applied and denied

Please select an option.

Step 8 of 8

Have you taken any prior action on a TDIU claim?

Your prior TDIU history shapes which path forward makes the most sense — whether that's a new application, supplemental claim, or appeal.

Never applied for TDIU First-time applicants file VA Form 21-8940 Applied and denied Can file a Supplemental Claim or appeal — effective date may be preserved Currently pending Application is in process Was awarded TDIU in the past May have been reduced — exploring reinstatement or increase

Please select an option.

Your Results

TDIU Eligibility Assessment

💰 Estimated Back Pay Potential TDIU can result in retroactive back pay to your original claim date if approved on appeal. Average successful case = $30k–$150k. The earlier you file, the more back pay you may recover.

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Do You Qualify for100% VA Payat a Lower Rating?

Do You Qualify for
100% VA Pay
at a Lower Rating?