Curated guides, regulatory references, and practical tools for veterans and attorneys navigating TDIU claims. Start with our expert-written articles and process overview, then use the forms, glossary, and checklists below to build your file.
Start Here
These are our most-used resources for understanding employability evidence, the assessment process, and extraschedular referral under § 4.16(b). For a full overview, see our TDIU vocational expert homepage, what a vocational expert evaluates, and assessment pricing.
Plain-language guide to when the extraschedular referral standard applies, what evidence supports referral, and how vocational evidence fits the legal framework.
extraschedular TDIU referral standardStep-by-step overview: intake, records review, vocational interview, transferable-skills analysis, written report, and typical timelines.
TDIU vocational assessment processSchedular vs. extraschedular rules, substantially gainful employment, and the evidence the VA weighs in unemployability claims.
What is TDIU?When independent vocational evidence helps — after denials, on appeal, and when employability is disputed.
Vocational expert for TDIUHow vocational experts evaluate whether past work skills open — or foreclose — other occupations in the national economy.
Transferable skills in TDIUWhy a VA conclusion that you can perform sedentary work does not always end the employability analysis.
Sedentary work rebuttalVA Forms
These are the primary VA forms used to initiate, support, and document a TDIU claim. All links go directly to VA.gov.
| Form | Name | When to use it | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA 21-8940 | Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability | The primary TDIU application. Required to formally request TDIU consideration. | VA.gov ↗ |
| VA 21-4192 | Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits | Sent to the veteran's last employer to document work history and limitations. | VA.gov ↗ |
| VA 21-526EZ | Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits | Used to file or reopen a disability claim that can support a TDIU argument. | VA.gov ↗ |
| VA 10182 | Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement) | File a BVA appeal when the regional office denies TDIU. | VA.gov ↗ |
| VA 20-0995 | Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim | Submit new and relevant evidence — including a vocational opinion — after an initial denial. | VA.gov ↗ |
| VA 21-22 | Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative | Designate a VSO to help manage your claim. | VA.gov ↗ |
Regulatory References
TDIU decisions are governed by specific federal regulations. Understanding these citations helps you evaluate how a vocational opinion fits into the legal framework.
The core regulation governing TDIU. Subsection (a) covers the standard rating thresholds (60% single / 70% combined). Subsection (b) addresses extraschedular grants when circumstances are exceptional.
Read on eCFRAddresses age and whether it can be considered in conjunction with service-connected disabilities when determining unemployability. Often cited alongside § 4.16 in complex claims.
Read on eCFRThe VA's internal adjudication manual. Part IV, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section F covers TDIU evaluation procedures — how raters are instructed to assess unemployability claims.
View M21-1The primary labor market database used by vocational experts to identify job demands, transferable skills, and whether specific occupations fall within a veteran's residual functional capacity.
Search O*NETThe DOT classifies occupations by physical demand, skill level, and functional requirements. Used alongside O*NET in vocational assessments to match limitations to the job base.
Search DOTBureau of Labor Statistics data on job availability, growth projections, and employment numbers — used to assess whether specific occupations exist in significant numbers in the national economy.
BLS HandbookGlossary
TDIU claims involve specific legal and vocational terminology. These definitions are written for veterans and attorneys, not bureaucrats.
Preparation Checklist
A stronger records package leads to a more defensible opinion. Here's what to collect before your VA TDIU vocational evaluation intake.