The VA Claim Hiding in Your SSDI File – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track II (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Your SSDI File May Be Worth Two Claims

Many Social Security practitioners represent veterans who are eligible for — but not receiving — VA disability benefits they have earned. The claim is sitting in the file you already have; the skill is recognizing it. This session shows how to spot when an SSDI or SSI client has a viable VA claim.

The value concentrates in two places. Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) turns the unemployability showing you're already building into a VA award. Earlier-effective-date arguments can produce substantial retroactive awards. And the evidentiary overlap between SSDI and VA unemployability means the proof does double duty — including through secondary service connection and the VA appeals lanes.

You leave equipped to act: a practical case-screening checklist in hand, and a clear picture of how to refer or co-counsel a VA matter consistent with ethical and accreditation rules.

Eligible for up to 1 CLE Credit Hour

This session was originally submitted for CLE as a live, in-person presentation and a live webcast for the 2026 Fall National Conference and may be eligible for self-study credit. Each state handles self-study credit differently; for questions, please consult your State Bar Association.

Recorded Friday, October 16, 2026.

Key topics to be discussed:

• Spotting the Hidden Claim
  Recognizing when an SSDI or SSI client is a veteran with a viable VA claim.
• TDIU
  Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability — the centerpiece claim for unemployable veterans.
• Earlier Effective Dates
  The arguments that can produce substantial retroactive awards.
• The Evidentiary Overlap
  How SSDI and VA unemployability proof does double duty, including secondary service connection.
• The VA Appeals Lanes
  Navigating the VA's appeal pathways for the client's claim.
• Refer or Co-Counsel
  Handling the VA matter consistent with ethical and accreditation rules — with a practical case-screening checklist to leave with.

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Date / Time: October 16, 2026 

• 11:45 am – 12:45 pm Eastern
• 10:45 am – 11:45 am Central
• 9:45 am – 10:45 am Mountain
• 8:45 am – 9:45 am Pacific

Closed-captioning available