Are you aware that Individual Unemployability is under fire?

2015-10-09T20:27:02-04:00

Over the past few months, the issue of Individual Unemployability (IU) has been both a topic of discussion and one of rising concern for DAV and its members. A hearing regarding IU was held before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs on July 15, 2015.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for eligibility to IU, a veteran must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his or her service-connected disabilities. Marginal employment, such as an odd job, is not considered "substantial gainful employment" for VA purposes. In addition to the employment barrier, a veteran eligible for IU must have one service-connected condition ratable at 60 percent or more disabling, or two or more service-connected disabilities, at least one condition that is ratable at 40 percent or more disabling, with a combined rating of 70 percent or more disabled.

Reports published by the Congressional Budget Office in August 2014 and the General Accountability Office in June 2015 made recommendations for substantial changes to the IU program. If implemented, these changes would cause significant financial harm to wounded, ill and injured veterans, their survivors and dependents.

Many of the views expressed within these reports are quite troubling, particularly the notions of restricting, limiting, or eliminating entitlement to IU on the basis of age and offsetting IU benefits when veterans are in receipt of other earned federal benefits such as military compensation or Social Security benefits ; concepts that DAV vehemently opposes.

No legislation has been introduced to address IU, but discussions are underway. DAV wants the voice of DAV members, the auxiliary and other DAV supporters who are concerned about the preservation of veterans' benefits to be part of this discussion. DAV asks you to contact your elected officials with the letter provided, or please write your own letter for the same purpose.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/x1XeTseIDYCxv6-1zivP3Q

There was a news report last year or so regarding how some veterans were collecting, military retirement, service connected disability pay and social security. Tied into this was the IU (Individual Unemployability). Some in the public and Congress were upset over this issue. Thus the focus.

can - DAV

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Oct 9 at 2015 8:41 PM

2015-10-09T20:41:16-04:00

Sgt Spencer Sikder I wasn't aware of that. As an IU receiver, this is, of course, very upsetting. Luckily, the elected officials for Alaska are very Military friendly. I will be checking in with DAV immediately. Thank you for the info.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 11 at 2015 10:31 AM

2015-10-11T10:31:36-04:00

I hope everyone writes to their Congrespeople through the CAN... this is disgusting, but not at all surprising given the climate against military and veterans on BOTH SIDES of the aisle...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 12 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-12-12T16:03:16-05:00

Let's step this up. It only takes 5 minutes of your time. Many veterans who can not work rely on IU. If we don't win, we will be relegating many veterans to a life of humble income. The way I view it is retirement is based on longevity, VA funds for depreciation of a person, SSDI for inability to work.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 18 at 2015 11:18 AM

2015-12-18T11:18:47-05:00

I am adamant that veterans who have a disability that precludes them from working receive IU or they are at risk of being financially disable as well.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Feb 3 at 2018 8:05 AM

2018-02-03T08:05:05-05:00

Usually if a Vet is receiving Mil ret pay and getting VA, the % of disability would replace a % of Mil pay.. the other (IU and SS i ‘m not so sure of). They had a heck of a VSO.. to pull down all of that. What their physical sitrep was .. I hope it was deserving of all that comp.