Question:
Multiple questions:
- What would be the exact term in my documents or benefits that would let me know that I am 100% PTIU? The wording is confusing and would like an expert on the matter.
- If I am 100% PTIU... does that means I can NEVER work? Is this true even if I go to medical school and graduate as a medical doctor? If so, what are the work arounds on this?
- If I hold the 100% PTIU for 10 yrs... could I go and find gainful employment through the government to buy back my 14 years I had before I left the service and collect both retirement and 100% PTIU after doing an additional 6-7 yrs as a civilian?
Thank you for the help and advice!
Jim's Reply:
The term is TDIU...Total Disability Individual Unemployability. TDIU is a shortcut to a 100% rating for the veteran who is too disabled to hold gainful employment but who doesn't hold a 100% schedular rating.
Your ratings letter will indicate that you are TDIU by informing you that you have 2 ratings, one an underlying rating of 60% or more and the TDIU rating of 100%.
You can work. You are allowed to earn up to the federal poverty level in income before VA will take notice. You can go to school...going to school isn't gainful employment. If you get a job and it pays you more than the poverty wage, you'll likely lose the TDIU benefit. Thinking it through...if the benefit is for the unemployable vet and that vet becomes employable, he or she doesn't need the benefit.