A disability rating marked as "Permanent and Total" (P&T) means the VA has determined two separate things: first, that your disability is rated at 100% (Total), and second, that it is unlikely to improve (Permanent). When both boxes are checked, the VA generally will not schedule future re-examinations to review your rating, because the whole point of the Permanent designation is that your condition is considered stable or unlikely to change for the better.
This is different from simply having a 100% schedular rating without the permanent designation. A veteran can be rated 100% but still be subject to periodic future exams if the VA believes the condition could improve over time. Ratings that are not marked permanent can be reduced if a future exam shows improvement, following the procedures in 38 CFR 3.105(e), which requires the VA to propose the reduction, explain the evidence, and give you 60 days to respond before any reduction takes effect, plus advance notice of when reduced payments would start.
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 |
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Analyze my claim free →If your rating is coded as Permanent and Total, the VA is not supposed to subject you to routine future exams for that condition, and reduction would be very unusual absent something like fraud or clear error in the original decision. You can confirm your status by checking your VA benefits letter or logging into VA.gov, where a P&T determination is usually explicitly stated. This status also unlocks other benefits, such as Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance for dependents, exemption from VA disability compensation re-exams, and in many cases automatic eligibility for related programs like Social Security disability, property tax exemptions, or educational fee waivers, depending on your state.
For financial planning, P&T status generally can be treated as stable long-term income, though it is still wise to keep records, attend any exams the VA does request, and promptly respond to any VA correspondence, since failing to respond to a request for information can still create complications even with a permanent rating.
As a concrete next step, log into VA.gov or check your official rating decision letter to confirm whether your award explicitly states "Permanent and Total," since that specific language, not just the 100% rating itself, is what protects you from future reductions.
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