Which type of evaluation is required for a Veteran to be classified as unemployable?

To classify a Veteran as unemployable, a rating that meets specific disability percentage requirements is necessary. This is because the Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a set of criteria that assesses the severity of a Veteran's service-connected disabilities. When a Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70%, with one disability rated as 40% or more, they may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU). This designation is significant because it acknowledges that due to their service-connected conditions, the Veteran cannot maintain gainful employment, thus protecting their right to benefits commensurate with their inability to work.

In contrast, self-assessments, peer reviews, or job offers that were declined do not provide the required formal evaluation or medical documentation needed to substantiate the claim of unemployability. These options lack the critical element of an official rating, which is fundamental to the VA's adjudication process for determining unemployability status.