Many military veterans have service-connected medical conditions that affect their daily living, entitling them to financial compensation from the VA. However, veterans who receive VA disability benefits may want to continue working despite their condition. But can you work if you receive VA disability benefits? Understanding when you can and cannot work as a recipient of VA disability benefits can protect your eligibility and help you avoid situations that may alter the financial payments you receive from the VA.
VA Disability Compensation vs. Other Disability Benefits
The VA’s disability benefits program operates differently from other government disability benefit programs, such as Social Security disability, as VA disability is not a needs- or means-based program. Instead, a veteran can qualify for VA disability benefits by having a service-connected disability. Unlike other government or private disability benefits, receiving VA disability does not automatically disqualify a veteran from continuing to work.
Working While Receiving VA Disability Compensation
As a general rule, veterans may work and earn any level of income while receiving VA disability benefits. A veteran can earn standard W-2 employment income, annual salaries, self-employment income, or other incentive-based income like bonuses, commissions, or equity compensation, all without automatically jeopardizing their VA benefits. The amount of financial compensation a veteran may receive from VA disability benefits depends on the veteran’s disability rating or combined disability rating, the number of dependents in their household, and the level of care the veteran requires.
Special Rules for TDIU
However, veterans who receive disability benefits through specific VA programs may have restrictions on their ability to work. For example, some veterans who have a disability rating above a certain threshold but below 100 percent may still qualify for disability payments at the 100 percent rate under the Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) program. A veteran with a qualifying disability rating may enter the TDIU program if they cannot work a steady job due to their condition. As a result, TDIU participants may jeopardize a portion of their disability benefits if they return to work.
VA Reexaminations and Employment Concerns
A veteran’s decision to work may prompt the VA to request a reexamination to reassess the veteran’s disability rating, especially if the nature of the veteran’s job does not appear consistent with the diagnostic criteria for their disability rating. For example, suppose a veteran has a disability rating based on their inability to perform specific physical tasks. If that veteran takes a manual labor job, the VA may want to reexamine the veteran to reassess their disability rating, which may result in a reduction or termination of their disability benefits.
How a VA Disability Attorney Can Help
Veterans considering continuing in work or rejoining the workforce can best protect their rights and financial interests by consulting a VA disability lawyer. An attorney can help a veteran understand whether working may jeopardize their disability benefits, especially if they have a 100 percent disability rating or receive TDIU benefits. A lawyer can also advise a veteran if the VA requests a reassessment or a new C&P examination due to the veteran’s employment.
Contact Our VA Disability Firm Today
When you have concerns about whether your employment might affect your VA disability benefits or if the VA wants to reassess your benefits based on your work, speaking with a lawyer can help you understand your options. Contact Veterans Law Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a VA disability benefits attorney to learn more about your rights or restrictions from working while receiving benefits, to understand how to protect your financial compensation for your service-connected medical condition.
