TDIU Return To Work

Question:

Good evening, my husband is a veteran who served in the army for 10 years. He has been out since 2013 but has had many difficulties transitioning to civilian life. His VA benefits letter currently classifies him as TDIU & P&T. He got TDIU five years ago and P&T backdated to 2013 because he has sleep apnea. So since the sleep apnea pushed him to P&T, now they say he has both TDIU & P&T.


He has for the past few years have had difficulty staying home and not working. He doesn’t want to lose his benefits but he feels like he must go out into the workforce to regain his sanity. The VA has him at a rating of 70% for PTSD, 50% sleep apnea, 10% shoulder, 10% neck, 10% back, 10% TBI, 30% post concussive migraine. We understand he will lose SSDI, but he wants to make sure that if he doesn’t succeed in the workforce that the VA won’t leave him empty handed.

Being a veteran spouse is a very hard job. I work full time and we have a child. I truly want to see my husband feel like he’s worth something. I know he will do great in whatever he does, I just don’t want him to lose the benefits he sacrificed his life and sanity for. Thank you for everything you do for our vets and thank you for your service. May God always bless you.

 

Jim's Reply:

He can return to work at any time and he may not lose any benefits. He doesn't need to tell anyone that's he's going back to work, he just needs to find a job.
 

The VA will track his IRS and SSA accounts...they do that on all TDIU vets routinely these days. In a year or two, if he makes too much money, he'll get a letter from VA that will propose that his TDIU benefit be lowered. The letter will propose to lower the TDIU 100% to the underlying ratings. If he isn't successful in returning to work, nothing happens.
 

The SSA has a formal return to work program https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/returning-to-work.htm He may not have to give up SSDI.
 

I'm also TDIU and have been for many many years. I understand the desire to return to work and I think it's very good therapy for us. When I felt the same as he did I volunteered. I've been a civic volunteer most of my life and this time I decided to volunteer for the VA. It was one of the best things I've ever done. Since you aren't earning an income you can work 40 hours a week (and many vets do volunteer that much) and it won't affect benefits. You get to make your own hours, VA will buy lunch and I promise you there's nothing like helping another vet who needs a hand. Good luck!