VA disability is usually not for life. When you start collecting benefits, it’s with the understanding that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can and will periodically review your situation and reassess whether you should continue receiving benefits, and at the same level. If you have a severe medical condition from which VA believes you will never recover, it may designate you as permanently and totally disabled. With this designation, you’ll receive VA disability benefits for life (absent a finding of fraud).
VA reserves permanent and total disability for the most extreme situations. Most VA disability recipients can expect periodic reexaminations. The key to emerging from a reexamination with your benefits unscathed is to make sure you have compelling evidence of your continuing disability. To find out about what a VA disability advocate can do for you, call (888) 373-4722 for a free case evaluation.
How Permanent and Total VA Disability Works
When VA approves your disability claim, it assigns you a rating from 0 to 100%. This rating puts a numerical value on the severity of your disability. So, a veteran who is totally disabled receives a rating of 100%, while one who has a minor disability receives a much lower rating, such as 0 or 10%. Your rating determines the amount you receive in monthly disability compensation.
If VA assigns you a 100% rating, it has the option of also designating you permanently and totally disabled. If you receive this designation, your benefits are safe for the rest of your life. The only exception is if VA later determines you obtained your benefits via fraud.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
How VA Disability Reexaminations Work
If VA does not designate you as permanently and totally disabled when approving you for benefits, it will most likely reexamine you at a future date. The objective is to decide whether you’re still eligible for VA disability and if your rating should remain the same.
VA will conduct reexaminations in two situations:
- VA will conduct a reexamination if it receives information leading to believe a veteran’s condition has improved, possibly removing the need for disability benefits.
- However, it also conducts them depending on whether or not it believes your condition may improve over time.
For a Free VA Disability Case Evaluation, Call (888) 373-4722
To learn more about how a VA disability advocacy group can help you recover the veterans’ benefits you deserve, call (888) 373-4722. The initial consultation is always free.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
