FAQ Friday: Permanent and Total (P&T) Disability | CCK Law

FOR THE VETERAN OF THE VETERAN SHARE OF THE DAY

Q: What is Permanent and Total disability?

Permanent and Total disability, or P&T, refers to veterans whose disabilities are total (rated 100% disabling by VA) and permanent (zero or close to zero chance of improvement). Though “Permanent and Total” is often used as a single phrase, veterans can have a total disability that’s temporary or a permanent disability rated less than 100 percent. Permanent and total ratings are protected from being reduced and may entitle you or your family to additional VA benefits.

Total. Veterans’ disabilities are rated based on VA’s Schedule of Rating Disabilities. The ratings levels for each type of disability are based on how much the residuals of said disability impair your ability to function in life and at work. A 100% rating indicates that your disability is completely, or “totally,” disabling.

Permanent. VA deems a disability “permanent” when it is reasonably certain, based on medical evidence, that the level of impairment will continue for the rest of the veteran’s life. For this reason, VA is allowed to take age into account when determining whether a disability is permanent and it can be more difficult for younger veterans to be considered permanently disabled.

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