Veteran Resources
VA forms, official links, TDIU answers, and key terms — everything you need to navigate your VA disability claim.
Key VA Forms
The most important forms for filing a TDIU claim or navigating the VA appeals process.
VA Form 21-8940 — Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability
The primary form used to apply for TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability). Must be submitted with your TDIU claim.
VA Form 21-4142 — Authorization to Disclose Information to the Department of Veterans Affairs
Allows the VA to request private medical records from your doctors or healthcare providers.
VA Form 21-4142a — General Release for Medical Provider Information
Used alongside VA Form 21-4142 to authorize release of medical records from specific providers.
VA Form 20-0995 — Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim
Used to submit new and relevant evidence after an initial claim denial. One of the three lanes in the AMA appeals system.
VA Form 10182 — Decision Review Request: Board of Veterans' Appeals
Used to appeal a decision directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) — including the option for a hearing.
Official VA Resources
- VA.gov — Disability Benefits. Official VA portal for filing claims, checking status, and managing your benefits online.
- VA Benefits Eligibility — TDIU. VA's official guidance on Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability eligibility and application process.
- Board of Veterans' Appeals. Information about filing appeals, hearing options, and checking the status of your BVA appeal.
TDIU FAQ
What is TDIU?
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a VA benefit that pays veterans at the 100% disability rate even if their combined VA rating is less than 100%. It applies when service-connected disabilities prevent the veteran from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
Who qualifies for TDIU?
Veterans may qualify for TDIU if they have at least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more, or two or more service-connected disabilities with a combined rating of 70% or more (with at least one rated at 40% or more). Veterans who don't meet these thresholds may still qualify under extraschedular TDIU.
What is a vocational assessment and why does it matter?
A vocational assessment is a professional evaluation by a certified vocational expert that analyzes your work history, transferable skills, and the functional limitations caused by your service-connected disabilities. It provides an independent opinion on whether you are capable of maintaining substantially gainful employment — which is the core question in any TDIU claim.
What is substantially gainful employment?
Substantially gainful employment means employment that produces annual income above the federal poverty threshold and is consistent with the veteran's work history. Marginal employment — such as working in a protected or sheltered environment — does not disqualify a veteran from TDIU.
Key Terms & Glossary
TDIU. Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability — VA benefit paying at 100% rate when disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment.
SGE. Substantially Gainful Employment — employment that produces income above the federal poverty threshold in a non-sheltered setting.
C-File. Claims File — the VA's complete file on a veteran, containing all medical records, service records, and prior claim decisions.
DBQ. Disability Benefits Questionnaire — a standardized VA form used by medical providers to document disability ratings.
Nexus Letter. A letter from a medical professional establishing a connection between a current disability and military service.
BVA. Board of Veterans' Appeals — the body that reviews VA regional office decisions at the federal level.
CRC. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor — a credentialed vocational expert qualified to conduct TDIU vocational assessments.
In-Depth Articles
Explore our library of articles written to help veterans and attorneys understand the vocational assessment process, TDIU eligibility, and what to expect.