Permanent and Total (P&T), AKA 100% P&T, AKA TDIU P&T
Permanent and Total (P&T) is a special status that denotes a Veteran as being paid at the 100% rate (total) as well as all of their disabilities being considered static (permanent).
100%
Permanent and Total (P&T), AKA 100% P&T, AKA TDIU P&T
Permanent and Total (P&T) is a special status that denotes a Veteran as being paid at the 100% rate (total) as well as all of their disabilities being considered static (permanent).
P&T veterans should NOT have regularly scheduled reexaminations.
Statutory P&T
Veterans with the following service connected disabilities are considered P&T automatically:
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Loss of the use of both feet;
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Loss of both hands;
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Loss of both eyes;
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Loss of one foot and one hand;
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Loss of one foot and one eye;
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Loss of one hand and one eye;
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Loss of hearing of both ears;
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Organic loss of speech; or
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Permanently helpless or permanently bedridden.
Veterans with these disabilities are also entitled to SMC.
Becoming P&T
To become P&T the Veteran's disabilit(ies) that:
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Combine to 100% scheduler;
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A singular 100% rating; or
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The disabilit(ies) that were used as the basis of a Veteran becoming TDIU MUST be static.
For disabilities to become static. There must be enough medical evidence to determine that the disability is unlikely to improve over the life of the Veteran. This is determined at the time a rater, rates a disability. As such, if a Veteran wants a disability to considered static they will either need to file for an increase for those disabilities or wait for their next regularly scheduled reexamination to occur.
To increase the chances of a disability becoming considered static sooner than later. It is recommended that the Veteran try to actively seek and try treatments to improve their disability.
Once a Veteran becomes P&T their rater should remove all flags for regularly scheduled reexaminations for any remaining non-static disabilities. This is due to the fact that even if those non-static disabilities were set to 0%. The Veteran would still be 100% scheduler or would still qualify for TDIU. So the issuance of reexaminations is a waste of time, money, and effort on both the part of the VA as well as the Veteran. However, there are times when the rater will overlook this step and the Veteran will still be issued a reexamination.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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The process of filing for and qualifying for an increase AND/OR filing and getting new ratings does NOT inherently increase the chance that the Veteran will become P&T. This is because, again - the Veteran's disabilities that Combine to 100% schedule, or a singular 100% rating, or the disabilities that were used as the basis of a Veteran becoming TDIU must be static. The new conditions and/or those new increases MUST be found to be static to increase the chances of becoming P&T.
VA Math Example of Becoming P&T
Having more disabilities that combine over 100% scheduler does NOT necessarily increase the likelihood that the Veteran will become P&T! This is particularly true if those new disabilities/increases are not considered static.
Bi-Lateral Plantar Fasciitis = 50%
Yes
Row:70%, Col:50%
85%
Back = 40%
Yes
Row:85%, Col:40%
91%
Migraines = 30%
Static
Row:91%, Col:30%
94%
IBS = 30%
Static
Row:94%, Col:30%
97%
Right Shoulder = 20%
Yes
Row:97%, Col:20%
99%
Tinnitus = 10%
Yes
Row:99%, Col:10%
99%
Neck = 10%
Yes
Row:99%, Col:10%
99%
Jane's Combined Rating rounds up to 100%.
P&T?: NO, because their combined static disabilities does not round up to 100%.
Back = 40%
Yes
Row:50%, Col:40%
70%
Right Shoulder = 20%
Yes
Row:70%, Col:20%
76%
Tinnitus = 10%
Static
Row:76%, Col:10%
78%
Neck = 10%
Yes
Row:78%, Col:10%
80%
Jane's Static Combined Rating is 80%.
Again, if Jane wanted to become P&T, she would need to have enough static disabilities that combined to 100% scheduler to become P&T.
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Additional Benefits
Veterans who are P&T are entitled to many additional benefits that other 100% Veterans are not. Here are some examples:
Category
Description
Entitlement to Chapter 35 Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA).
Education
Some states may offer Veterans and their dependents free college.
Healthcare
Eligibility for veteran's dependents to enroll in CHAMPVA.
Healthcare
During a medical emergency Veteran may freely use non-VA emergency rooms for any condition. Veteran does needs to submit a claim within 2 years of the event to the VA for reimbursement.
Housing
​Property tax exemption: Some states will exempt some or all a Veteran's property taxes.
Social Security
Travel
Free air travel on Space-A. Allows travel in the Continental United States or directly between the CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa (Guam and American Samoa travelers may transit Hawaii or Alaska); or traveling within Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands on flights operated by Air Mobility Command. This benefit CAN be used by the Veteran's dependents so long as the Veteran accompanies them.
For a list of Federal benefits based off combined rating. Click HERE.
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FAQ
Can I be P&T if I am rated under 100%?
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Yes, see the TDIU page for more information.
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Can I work if I am P&T?
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Yes, the only P&T Veterans who have work restrictions are those who were awarded TDIU.
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How can I check if I am P&T?
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On va.gov via the VA Benefit Summary letter. Once logged in, click the green box “Get your VA benefit letters,” then “View letters,” then “VA Letters,” and finally “Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter.” Scroll down and check the section that says, “You are considered to be totally and permanently disabled due solely to your service-connected disabilities.” If it say are you are, if it say aren't you aren't.
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I am P&T should I continue to make claims?
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Generally no. The exception to this is if the claimed condition is likely to lead to Death or a SMC. But even then, be aware that by filing new claims you open the possibility of all your claims being reevaluated, which may result in you losing your P&T status.
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Can I request P&T status?
Yes.
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Veterans can send a request to their VA Regional Office. Your doctor's letter should explain why your conditions are not likely to improve. Veterans should include any relevant medical documentation and other evidence that helps prove their service-connected disabilities are not likely to improve.
OR
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A Veteran may request an increase on their conditions. After the reevaluation, the Veteran's conditions may become considered static, which would result in the Veteran becoming P&T.
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How do I know which conditions of mine are static?
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Veterans may request their C-File which will contain their code sheet. The code sheet will list all the Veteran's conditions and whether the conditions are static or not. Your VSO also may be able to obtain your code sheet for you.
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How do I request my C-File/Code Sheet?
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Click HERE to learn how.
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Is my P&T status protected?
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No, a Veteran's ratings are only truly Protected once they have held that rating for 20 years. After 20 years the only way a rating can be changed is in case of fraud. In this case, the ratings will be removed whenever the fraud is discovered.
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I'm being told I have a reevaluation, what do I do?
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Unless you filed a new claim, you should not have a Reevaluation and this could be an error. No matter what, DO NOT MISS the C&P exam, as missing the exam may result in you losing your P&T status.
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If I am TDIU P&T am I no longer restricted by income limits?
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No, Veterans who are P&T simply no longer have regularly scheduled reexaminations. The Veteran still is bound by TDIU income limits.
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What is organic loss of speech?
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Organic loss of speech means the loss of the ability to express oneself, both by voice and whisper, through the normal organs of speech if such loss is caused by organic changes in such organs. Where such loss exists, the fact that some speech can be produced through the use of an artificial appliance or other organs of the body will be disregarded.
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If I get surgery at the VA can I lose my P&T status?
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Maybe, if the surgery improves your condition so that you no longer rate 100% scheduler and you've been rated for less than 20 years. Do know that depending upon the surgery and/or the length of convalescence leave you may be entitled to temporary SMC S.
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