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 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 discussion are underway. DAV wants the of DAV members, the auxiliary and other DAV supporters who are concerned about 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.
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