VA Individual Unemployability eligibility and how to apply

Individual Unemployability If You Can’t Work | Veterans Affairs Skip to Content An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely. Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now Disability benefits Special claims Auto allowance and adaptive equipment Birth defects Clothing allowance Dental care Temporary disability rating after surgery or cast Increase for time in hospital Prestabilization rating Title 38 U.S.C. 1151 claims Individual unemployability In this section Individual Unemployability if you can’t work If you can’t work because of a disability related to your service in the military, you may qualify for Individual Unemployability. This means you may be able to get disability compensation or benefits at the same level as a Veteran who has a 100% disability rating. Keep reading to find out if you may be eligible. Am I eligible for this benefit from VA? You may be eligible for Individual Unemployability if you meet the requirements listed here. This must be true: You can’t have a steady job that supports you financially (known as substantially gainful employment) because of your service-connected disability. Odd jobs (marginal employment) don’t count. And 1 of these must be true: You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, or You have 2 or more service-connected disabilities, with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more In certain cases—for example, if you need to be in the hospital often—you may qualify at a lower disability rating. If I’m eligible for Individual Unemployability, will my disability rating change? No. If you’re eligible for Individual Unemployability, the amount of your monthly compensation payment will change, but your disability rating will stay the same. What’s an example of Individual Unemployability? A Veteran has a service-connected heart condition and a 60% disability rating. She was still able to work until last year when she began to get chest pain when doing anything physical, like walking or lifting boxes. Her doctor told her to retire as soon as possible. She filed a claim for more disability compensation. We reviewed her work and education history and agreed that she was individually unemployable because of her service-connected disability. So we increased her disability compensation to the same rate as a 100% disabled Veteran. How do I get these benefits? You’ll need to submit 2 forms to get these benefits. Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940) You can submit this form online or by mail. Get VA Form 21-8940 to download Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits (VA Form 21-4192) You can submit this form online or by mail. Get VA Form 21-4192 to download Note: You must have a service-connected disability to get Individual Unemployability. If you haven’t filed a claim for disability compensation yet, you’ll need to do that first. Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation What evidence do I need to submit? You’ll have to provide evidence (supporting documents like a doctor’s report or medical test results) showing that your disability prevents you from having a steady job. We’ll also review your work and education history. What if I have questions about these benefits? You can call us at . We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. How do I verify my employment status? If we asked you to verify your employment status, you’ll need to fill out the Employee Questionnaire (VA Form 21-4140). Find out how to verify Individual Unemployability status Last updated: April 27, 2026