Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (TDIU)
Use this form to apply for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
Used in these claim stages:
Last updated by VA: January 1, 2024
How to Complete This Form
Complete all sections of the form:
**Section I - Veteran Information**
Provide your personal information, VA file number, and contact details.
**Section II - Employment History**
List your employment for the past 5 years, including:
- Employer names and addresses
- Dates of employment
- Hours worked per week
- Highest gross earnings per month
- Time lost due to disability
- Reason for leaving each job
**Section III - Education and Training**
List your educational background and any vocational training.
**Section IV - Disability Information**
Indicate which service-connected disabilities prevent you from working and explain how they affect your ability to work.
**Section V - Current Income**
Report any current income including Social Security, retirement, etc.
**Certification**
Sign and date the form, certifying the information is true.
Helpful Tips
- Be thorough about your work history - include ALL jobs, even short-term ones
- Explain specifically how each disability affects your ability to work
- Include any accommodations employers made for your disabilities
- Document any jobs you lost due to disability-related issues
- If you left a job, explain whether it was disability-related
- Include education/training to show VA you've tried to remain employable
- Keep records of any job applications and rejections
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving employment history incomplete or vague
- Not explaining HOW disabilities prevent work (just listing disabilities isn't enough)
- Forgetting to include time lost from work due to disabilities
- Not reporting all income sources
- Failing to explain gaps in employment history
- Not connecting job losses to service-connected conditions
Deadline Information
There is no deadline to file for TDIU, but earlier filing may result in earlier effective dates if granted. TDIU can be filed at any time you believe your service-connected disabilities prevent you from working.