Permanent & Total (P&T) means VA agrees your 100% rating won't improve. Unlocks CHAMPVA for dependents, Chapter 35 DEA, state property tax exemptions, Specially Adapted Housing, no future re-exams. If 100% with a static condition, request P&T explicitly.
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Permanent and Total (P&T)
P&T is a designation, not a separate rating. It means VA has determined that your 100% total disability (either schedular 100% or TDIU) is PERMANENT — not expected to improve. Once P&T, you are protected from future re-examinations and you unlock additional benefits.
What P&T unlocks beyond 100%
- No scheduled future C&P re-examinations
- CHAMPVA health coverage for your dependents (spouse, dependent children)
- Chapter 35 DEA — up to 36 months of education benefits for spouse and dependent children
- Maximum state property tax exemptions in many states
- Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants if you have specific disabilities
- Automobile allowance and adaptive equipment
- Commissary and exchange privileges in some cases
- VA dental care eligibility
How to get P&T
Sometimes VA grants P&T proactively when issuing a 100% rating. Often you have to ask. If you have a 100% rating (schedular or TDIU) and a condition that is not expected to improve, file a Supplemental Claim requesting P&T designation. Cite the medical opinion that your condition is static or stable.
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