How Other Benefits Intersect With TDIU
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | May 08, 2025 | Firm News
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a powerful VA benefit that pays at the 100% disability rate to veterans who can’t work due to service-connected conditions, even if your combined rating is below 100%. But if you’re receiving or applying for other benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), if you have dependents, or if you are seeking educational or healthcare benefits, you may be wondering how it all fits together. Our VA TDIU lawyer explains how TDIU interacts with other programs and what you need to know when filing a claim.
The Relationship Between TDIU And SSDI
Many veterans who qualify for TDIU also receive SSDI, and it’s entirely legal to receive both. SSDI is a federal benefit for people unable to work due to any medical condition, not just service-related ones. TDIU, by contrast, only looks at your service-connected disabilities. You can receive both payments at the same time, and they won’t offset each other.
That said, SSDI approval can be helpful when you’re pursuing TDIU. If the Social Security Administration has already found you unable to work, that decision, along with the supporting medical evidence, can strengthen your VA claim. While the VA is not bound by SSA findings, they are required to consider them, especially if the same impairments are involved.
Using SSDI Records To Support Your TDIU Claim
If you’re applying for TDIU and you already have an SSDI award, that documentation can work in your favor. SSDI decisions often include detailed findings about your limitations, work history, and medical conditions—all of which can support your claim that you’re unable to hold substantially gainful employment.
You can request your full SSDI file and submit it to the VA. This might include vocational assessments, doctor opinions, and Social Security’s explanation of how your conditions limit your ability to work. Our VA-accredited attorney often helps clients pull these records and highlight the parts that match their VA disabilities.
How TDIU Affects Dependent Benefits
Once you’re granted TDIU, the VA treats it the same as a 100% rating. That means your dependents may be eligible for additional monthly compensation. The amount increases depending on how many dependents you have, such as a spouse, children, or dependent parents.
This added compensation can make a meaningful difference for families, especially if you’re no longer working. It’s automatic once TDIU is awarded, but it’s important to confirm that the VA has accurate information about your dependents on file.
Educational Benefits (Chapter 35)
One of the lesser-known benefits tied to TDIU is eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance, also known as Chapter 35. If you’re granted TDIU and the VA considers your condition permanent, your spouse and children may qualify for education benefits. This can include college tuition, vocational training, and even tutoring.
Chapter 35 is only available if the VA deems your total disability to be permanent in nature. That status is not automatic with TDIU, but many veterans are awarded both. If your award letter doesn’t mention permanent and total status, our VA disability lawyer can ask the VA for a review or file for it directly.
VA Healthcare Eligibility
TDIU can also expand your access to VA healthcare. Veterans rated at 100%—including those receiving TDIU—are placed in a higher priority group, which can eliminate copays and increase access to certain services. You may also qualify for reimbursement of travel costs to and from VA appointments, dental coverage, and vision care.
Be sure to check with your VA medical center after a TDIU grant. Some benefits require you to actively enroll or update your status before the added services begin.
Get Help Securing The Full Range Of TDIU Benefits
TDIU doesn’t just mean more monthly compensation—it can unlock education support for your family, expanded healthcare, and extra payments based on your household. At the offices of Gregory M. Rada, Attorney at Law, we help veterans understand every benefit tied to TDIU and build strong claims using all available evidence, including SSDI records. Schedule your free consultation with Attorney Greg Rada today. As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Greg has firsthand experience dealing with the VA and securing disability benefits. Call now and let’s talk about what compensation you may be missing.
