What if I am unemployable due to my service-connected injuries?

The VA provides Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU, benefits equal to 100% disability benefits) to veterans who cannot work due to their service-connected impairments.  

There are 3 additional criteria to TDIU eligibility:

• At least 60% service connected due to one condition

• At least 70% combined service connection with at least one condition being rated at least 40%

• Neither of the above, but still unable to work due to severe service-connected injuries.

What if I am approved for TDIU, and the VA has established my effective date as the date I filed my TDIU application, but in reality, I was unemployable long before that date?

Can I appeal the effective date only?

Yes. Case law has established that the proper effective date for a TDIU claim is the date the Veteran became unemployable, not the date the application for TDIU was filed.  This is a common VA error that can be corrected on appeal or with a motion for revision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).