A VA permanent and total (P&T) disability rating is a separate determination from both FERS disability retirement and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Having a P&T rating does not automatically qualify you for either of those other programs, though the medical evidence behind your VA rating can often be reused to support those applications.
FERS disability retirement is administered by OPM, not the VA. To apply, you generally need to show you became disabled for useful and efficient service in your current position, with your agency's certification (via SF-3112 series forms) that no reasonable accommodation was available. Importantly, OPM generally wants you to apply for FERS disability retirement before you separate, or within one year of separation, because once you are off the rolls it becomes harder to get the required agency certifications. If your agency is denying or slow-walking your reasonable accommodation requests, keep every denial and the dates in writing, since that record becomes part of your disability retirement case showing accommodation was not possible.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Does your rating decision hold up under a real audit?
Upload your decision letter and C&P exams — VetAid's analyzer reads the full file, checks every examiner statement word-for-word against your records, and shows which arguments for a higher rating actually hold. Free, and we never take a cut of your back pay.
Analyze my claim free →If you receive FERS disability retirement, OPM requires you to also apply for SSDI, since your FERS annuity will be offset if SSDI is approved. The two programs run on different timelines and different medical standards, so approval of one does not guarantee approval of the other, and processing times for both can vary significantly.
A P&T VA rating does secure certain protections unrelated to your federal job status, such as continued eligibility for CHAMPVA-adjacent benefits for dependents in some cases, and VADIP (VA Dental Insurance Program) remains available to you as a P&T rated veteran regardless of your federal employment status, since VADIP eligibility is tied to your VA disability compensation status, not your job.
Because FERS disability retirement, SSDI, and VA compensation are three distinct systems with separate applications, evidentiary standards, and appeal processes, it is worth being careful about sequencing: most people in your position apply for FERS disability retirement while still employed, continue working or stay on leave if possible until a decision is reached, and only resign once the retirement is approved, since resigning first can complicate your agency's required certification.
The concrete next step is to contact your agency's HR/benefits office and a VA-accredited representative or attorney who handles OPM disability retirement cases to confirm the specific certification and timing requirements for your situation before you resign.
Need a deeper analysis?
Our AI checks your situation against outcome data from 1,900,000+ Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) decisions (1992–2025).
Analyze Your Claim FreeVetAid is a free veterans claims tool, not a VA-accredited representative — it does not file anything with VA for you, and it works alongside your accredited VSO, claims agent or attorney. About VetAid