100% P&T with questions about VR&E

You can safely use VR&E without jeopardizing your 100% P&T status, as participation is not considered evidence of improvement and does not trigger a routine future examination (RFE) when you are P&T. Under 38 CFR 3.327(a), reexaminations are not scheduled for permanent ratings, and 38 CFR 3.651(c)(2) explicitly states that rehabilitation training does not constitute a basis for reduction. Your 100% schedular rating for PTSD (likely Diagnostic Code 9411) is based on the criteria in 38 CFR 4.130, which evaluates total occupational and social impairment. Engaging in VR&E is a therapeutic step toward improving quality of life within your limitations, not proof you can sustain gainful employment; this is supported by case law like *Buchanan v. Nicholson*, which held that attempts at work do not necessarily prove a rating is inaccurate. Your actionable next steps are: 1) Contact your local VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment office to apply (Form 28-1900); 2) Clearly document during your initial evaluation that your goal is not traditional employment but a feasible vocational path that accommodates your PTSD symptoms, such as self-employment or a lower-stress role; and 3) Maintain your mental health treatment records to consistently show the severity of your condition, insulating your rating. **Disclaimer: This is educational information for claims assistance and should not be construed as legal, medical, or official VA advice.**