The Impact of Service-Connected Disabilities on Employment Opportunities

Reintegrating into the civilian workforce after military service often presents employment challenges for veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Summary

• Service-connected disabilities can significantly impact veterans’ employment opportunities, making it difficult to maintain or find jobs due to mental and physical limitations.
• Mobility issues, cognitive difficulties, and behavioral challenges can restrict veterans from certain job roles, promotions, or stable employment.
• Financial insecurity from unstable or low-paying jobs can often lead to debt and mental stress for veterans.
• Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits can help veterans deal with the loss of income when disabilities prevent gainful employment.
• Veterans may qualify for TDIU benefits without a 100% disability rating if they meet specific VA requirements.

As many veterans know, the impact of service-connected disabilities on employment can be considerable. Veterans may struggle to find or maintain employment due to the mental and physical limitations of their service-related condition.

At VetLaw, we understand that this can quickly become financially and psychologically draining for veterans. Our team is committed to helping veterans balance out the costs of their service-related conditions by advocating for the VA disability benefits they are entitled to receive.

For capable, compassionate legal support, schedule a free consultation with one of our veterans disability claims lawyers here at VetLaw. You can set up a meeting with our team by calling (855) 573-1503 or submitting a contact form today.

Symptoms of Service-Related Conditions Can Prevent Veterans From Participating in the Workforce 

Following a service-connected injury or illness, a veteran may find that their disability negatively affects their job performance or ability to work. Additionally, service-related mental and physical conditions can interfere with a veteran’s ability to actually get to their workplace, even if they are otherwise capable of performing their job.

Depending on their symptoms, veterans can face both mental and physical obstacles in the workplace that jeopardize their employment. For instance, vets may struggle to meet the job’s physical demands due to a lack of mobility, limited range of motion, diminished strength, loss of hearing or vision, or reduced fine motor skills.

Cognitive and behavioral issues related to service-connected conditions can also play a role in restricting a veteran’s employability. Veterans who have problems with memory, concentration, and judgment are often more prone to mistakes on the job.

Consequently, this can harm their professional reputation or potentially pose a safety risk. With certain service-related psychiatric conditions, veterans may even exhibit paranoid or aggressive behavior that harms or endangers customers and co-workers.

Understanding the Impact of Service-Connected Disabilities on Employment Prospects

It can be challenging for veterans with serious medical issues to navigate the job market and workplace. If a vet can’t successfully show their qualifications during the hiring process or reliably fulfill the requirements of their role due to a service-related disability, they may have difficulty securing and maintaining gainful employment. 

Unfortunately, the limitations of service-connected conditions can cause veterans to be: 

• Relegated to lower-wage jobs
• Restricted to part-time or seasonal gigs
• Forced to work fewer hours or undesirable shifts
• Passed over for promotions
• Denied opportunities for additional certifications or licenses
• Let go based on their unsatisfactory performance or behavior
• Excluded from certain fields or occupations altogether

These circumstances can prove financially untenable for veterans without adequate disability compensation from the VA. Although the timeline of a VA benefits claim may appear daunting, accessing the compensation you need can be transformative.

The Financial and Psychological Toll of Struggling to Find Employment Post-Discharge

The financial and emotional consequences of service-related disabilities on veterans’ employment opportunities can be profound. 

Reduced earning ability: An unstable employment record and/or low wages can make it hard for veterans with service-related disabilities to afford housing, basic living expenses, and medical care. They may acquire significant credit card debt or turn to unreliable sources for loans. 

In addition to painful short-term sacrifices, veterans facing financial insecurity can struggle to make long-term investments, like setting aside funds for car repairs or college. This can create a cycle of financial crisis for veterans and their families. 

Mental strain: Being denied professional fulfillment through a career can be disappointing and frustrating, to say the least. However, many vets with service-related disabilities are also under enormous pressure to cover the costs of basic necessities.

The stress of being unable to adequately provide for yourself or your family can be incredibly detrimental to your mental health. It is not uncommon for veterans dealing with unemployment or underemployment to develop anxiety or depression as a result.

TDIU Benefits Can Help Offset the Impact of Service-Connected Disabilities on Vets’ Employment Opportunities

Given the significant impact that service-connected disabilities can have on a veteran’s ability to obtain and maintain employment, the VA offers veterans disability benefits for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability.

Basically, VA TDIU benefits replace or supplement the wages you aren’t earning due to your service-related condition. This can help veterans keep a steadier stream of income and alleviate the stress that often accompanies financial hardship.

To qualify, you’ll need to show the VA that your service-connected illness or injury has prevented you from securing “substantially gainful employment.” Simply put, that means that you can’t get and keep a job that pays you wages above the federal poverty level because of your service-related medical issues.

Find the Help You Need With the Veterans Disability Claims Attorneys of VetLaw

Challenging a VA decision alone is risky. Instead of investing time and effort into building an appeal by yourself, let our seasoned veterans disability appeals lawyers handle your claim.

If you are a veteran dealing with the negative impact of service-connected disabilities on employment opportunities, Vet Law is here to support you at every step.

Schedule a free consultation with our team by calling (855) 573-1503 or submitting a contact form today. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss your case with you and determine how we can best help you going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of service-connected disabilities can impact employment options for veterans?

In theory, most service-related disabilities could interfere with a veteran’s job or ability to secure steady employment. However, some are more common problems than others.

For example, physical conditions like sciatica can limit mobility, making it hard for a vet to lift, jump, bend over, or run on the job. Mental conditions, like PTSD and anxiety, can impair a vet’s ability to communicate and cope with change in the workplace. 

Can I get TDIU benefits from the VA without a 100% disability rating?

Yes, you may still be eligible for Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability benefits, even if your combined disability rating falls below 100%. In that case, you would need to qualify under the VA 70/40 rule for TDIU or have a 60% rating for a service-related condition and be considered Individually Unemployable.

Is there an income cap for veterans seeking TDIU benefits?

Yes, the VA limits how much veterans receiving TDIU benefits can earn while collecting this type of compensation. The income cap for TDIU benefits is based on the federal poverty threshold, which changes each year. 

If you have a job, but you are not gainfully employed, and you are earning less than the current federal poverty threshold, you can likely still qualify for TDIU benefits. Typically, the VA does not impose a cap on the earned income of veterans working in sheltered or protected work environments with accommodations for their disabilities.