1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2017 . 2. Codification of individual unemployability (a) In general Chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1163 the following: 1164. Determination of total disability by reason of unemployability (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), for the purposes of this chapter, in the case of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, or service-connected disabilities, not rated as total, the Secretary may assign a disability rating of total to the veteran if the Secretary determines the veteran— (1) is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of, in part or in whole, a service-connected disability; and (2) has— (A) a service-connected disability rated at least 60 percent; or (B) two or more service-connected disabilities— (i) at least one of which is rated at least 40 percent; and (ii) that, combined, are rated at least 70 percent. (b) Additional authority of the Secretary To assign a disability rating of total The Secretary may assign a disability rating of total to a veteran who has a service-connected disability or disabilities described in subsection (a)(2)— (1) if the veteran maintains marginal employment; or (2) if— (A) the veteran maintains substantially gainful employment