WHAT IS A PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABILITY RATING?
A PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABILITY RATING (P&T) is a special VBA status where
a Veteran’s service-connected disabilities that combined to a 100% (using VA math)
have been medically deemed unlikely to improve. You will know you have a P&T
rating when you have been granted entitlement to Survivors' and Dependents'
Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) benefits (DEA).
WHAT IS AN ORGANIC DISEASE OR INJURY?
An ORGANIC DISEASE OR INJURY is the term used to describe any health condition
in which there is physically an observable and measurable disease process, such as
inflammation or tissue damage that can be validated and quantified through the
standardized biological measures known as biomarkers.
WHAT IS LOSS OF USE?
LOSS OF USE occurs when a part of the body would function equally as well as an
amputation with use of a suitable prosthesis. Amputation is not required in order
to experience loss of use.
WHAT DOES PRECLUDE LOCOMOTION MEAN?
PRECLUDES LOCOMOTION means there is a necessity for regular and constant use
of a wheelchair, braces, crutches, or canes to move although occasional movement
by other methods may be possible.
I QUALIFY TO RECEIVE AN SAH GRANT BASED ON THE PROVISION FOR
INJURIES SUSTAINED AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, SO WHY AM I NOT
RECEVING IT?
Only 120 Veterans can qualify for the SAH grant based on the loss of one lower
extremity after September 11, 2001 per year. If you qualify for, but do not receive,
a grant in the current fiscal year because the cap has already been reached, you
may be able to use this benefit in future years. The eligibility for future years
depends on whether Congress continues to give VBA the authority to offer these
grants and VBA does not go beyond the new fiscal year cap.