For a veteran to qualify for Individual Employability, what is a necessary condition regarding service-connected disabilities?

To qualify for Individual Unemployability (IU), a veteran must demonstrate that their service-connected disabilities impair their ability to maintain gainful employment. The key requirement is that the veteran has at least one disability rated at 60% or a combination of disabilities that equals 70%. This standard reflects the VA’s recognition that a veteran may not be able to work due to a lesser rating if the severity of their combined disabilities causes significant functional impairment.

This requirement acknowledges that multiple disabilities can compound the effects of an individual's limitations, making it critical for veterans to have a total of at least 70% when combining ratings, or at least one individual disability rated at 60% or more. This approach ensures that veterans who experience significant occupational disadvantages due to their service-connected conditions are eligible for the support they need through Individual Unemployability.

Other options do not align with the specific criteria for Individual Unemployability. For instance, having a disability rated at 100% is not a requirement; instead, the focus is on the 60% single rating or the 70% combined rating. Additionally, while disabilities must be service-connected, they do not necessarily need to occur during active service as long as they are recognized as being related to the veteran