TDIU Nets Veteran Back Payments of $211K

U.S. Army veteran “Thomas” worked in the construction industry until 2001, when he had to quit his job due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He had ongoing issues with anger, difficulty concentrating, and frustrations with interactions involving coworkers and supervisors. 

By May 2011, the VA had rated Thomas at 70% for PTSD, 30% for hearing loss and 10% for tinnitus. He was unable to hold meaningful employment, and VVA Heart of America Chapter 317 VSO Mark Coan filed for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). 

The claim was denied because the VA felt that Thomas could find work, and the veteran was in fact working part-time helping a friend remove from rental houses. Coan filed an appeal with the VA. 

National VSOs joined the case to argue that while Thomas was doing some work, removing junk from rental homes allowed him to work at his own pace and was more like therapy than work as a result. The income earned was minimal, failing to meet federal guidelines for poverty level. 

The VA acceded to the argument and granted Thomas TDIU back to his May 2011 filing. Retroactive payments totaled $211,125.29. 

Contact a VVA Veteran Service Officer to assist with your claim in states that have a benefits program here, or search for a VSO from another organization through the VA’s website in states where we do not. Enter your ZIP code or city and state, and you’ll see which VSOs serve your area.