Seeing an unexplained claim or 'end product' appear in your VA.gov account when you haven't filed anything is more common than it seems, and it does not automatically mean your rating is at risk. Permanent and Total (P&T) status generally protects the underlying disability ratings from routine future medical reexaminations under 38 CFR 3.327, since VA has already determined the condition is unlikely to improve. However, Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is treated somewhat differently. Under 38 CFR 3.343, TDIU specifically is tied to your employment status, not just your medical condition, so even with P&T status on the underlying disabilities, VA retains authority to periodically verify that you remain unemployed due to service-connected conditions. This is why some TDIU recipients historically received VA Form 21-4140 (Employment Questionnaire) on a periodic basis. VA has scaled back automatic annual EVR mailings in recent years for many P&T TDIU cases, but system-generated reviews or data matches (for example, income verification matches with the IRS or SSA, or internal quality-control sampling) can still trigger an open claim or EP code without a separate notification letter going out immediately.
Other routine, non-threatening reasons a claim might open without your action include a dependency update, a cost-of-living adjustment processing, a duplicate or administrative end product created by VA staff, or an automatic review tied to the anniversary of your award. It is also possible a third party (a VSO, an attorney, or even a family member with power of attorney) submitted something on your behalf without your direct knowledge.
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 →The safest way to find out what is actually happening is to check your official claim status directly rather than guess. Log into VA.gov and look under your claims and appeals status for the specific issue or EP code listed, or call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask what the open claim pertains to. If you have a Veterans Service Officer, they can pull the claim details on your behalf. Living overseas does not exempt you from employment verification requests if VA sends one, so make sure your mailing address and contact information on file are current to avoid missing any required response. Confirm the claim type through VA.gov or by phone before assuming the worst, since in many cases this turns out to be a routine administrative action rather than a reduction review.
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