100% P&T Playbook
Everything your 100% Permanent & Total rating unlocks
Money, healthcare, family coverage, base access, state perks, survivors, and student-loan relief — in one walkthrough.
What “100% P&T” really means in plain English
VA tosses around three ideas that often get mashed together. Here they are side-by-side:
| Term | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| 100% schedular | Your combined rating adds up to 100% under the VA rating schedule. |
| Individual Unemployability (TDIU) | You’re paid at the 100% rate even if your combined rating is lower, because your service-connected disabilities keep you from substantially gainful work. |
| P&T (Permanent & Total) | Your total disability is both total (paid at 100%) and reasonably expected to continue for life. Paperwork often says “no future exams are scheduled” or specifically calls you “Permanent and Total.” |
Confirming P&T and building your “proof” folder
Before you start claiming benefits, lock down proof that you’re actually P&T and get your documents in one place.
- Benefits Summary / rating letter: Download from VA.gov → Profile → Documents & Records. Look for language like “permanent in nature,” “no future exams are scheduled,” or a checkbox for Permanent and Total.
- VA Health ID (VHIC): Enroll in VA health care and get a VHIC card — this is what most bases use for access and urgent-care billing.
- DoD ID (USID) card: Some 100% disabled vets qualify. It’s especially useful for Space-A travel and MWR access.
- Dependent paperwork: Marriage certificate, kids’ birth certificates, and student status (18–23) for CHAMPVA/DEA.
Federal benefits that turn on at 100% P&T
These build on the standard disability benefits you already have.
Healthcare, dental, hearing & vision at 100%
Once you’re 100% service-connected (including IU), you sit at the top of the VA priority list.
Priority Group 1
- 100% SC vets are typically in Priority Group 1: broadest coverage and the lowest (often $0) copays for VA care and medications.
- Many routine services and meds are fully covered when tied to your service-connected disabilities.
Dental (Class IV)
- 100% (including IU) usually qualifies for comprehensive VA dental under Class IV.
- Expect cleanings, fillings, crowns, and major work when clinically indicated. Schedule a dental intake as soon as you’re in the system.
Vision & eyeglasses
- Routine eye exams are covered.
- Eyeglasses are provided when medically indicated; veterans with a compensable SC disability (10%+) are among those who qualify.
Hearing aids & audiology
- If clinically indicated, VA can provide hearing aids, batteries, and accessories through Audiology and Prosthetics.
- Ask for an evaluation if you’re having trouble hearing.
Beneficiary travel
Many 100% SC vets qualify for travel reimbursement to/from VA appointments. Check with your local facility’s Beneficiary Travel office.
Urgent care (non-VA, in network)
- Go to a VA Community Care Network urgent-care or retail clinic. Bring your VHIC and tell them to bill VA, not you.
- You typically don’t pay at the counter; if any copay applies, VA bills you later.
- Priority Group 1 vets generally pay $0 for the first three urgent-care visits each calendar year and a small copay after that (pharmacy copays can be separate).
Emergency care (non-VA ER)
- Go to the nearest ER or call 911. Your safety comes first.
- VA asks that you or the hospital notify VA within 72 hours so they can help coordinate care and billing.
- Give the ER your VA info, keep all paperwork, and follow up with your VA team as soon as you’re stable.
VADIP – optional civilian dental
Even if you qualify for VA dental, you can buy VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) coverage for civilian dentists or to cover family members.
Base access, Space-A travel & military shopping
P&T opens doors on base and in the military shopping world — if you know how to show up.
- Commissary & Exchange (in-store): Many 100% SC vets can shop on base using a VHIC showing “Service Connected” or a DoD USID card. Bases use DBIDS to validate at the gate.
- Online exchanges: All honorably discharged vets can shop online exchanges (ShopMyExchange, myNavyExchange, MCX) after a one-time verification.
- MWR: Many morale, welfare, and recreation facilities are open to disabled vets, but rules vary by installation — call ahead.
- Space-A (Category VI): 100% disabled vets with a qualifying ID can fly Space-Available. It’s standby travel, so flexibility is key.
State-level perks stacked on top of P&T
States quietly stack huge value on top of your federal benefits, especially once you’re at 100% or P&T.
Start with two offices:
- Your state Department of Veterans Affairs, and
- Your county tax assessor / auditor for property tax programs.
Survivors, DIC, and the “8-year rule”
Getting P&T dialed in while you’re alive can make a big difference for your family later.
DIC basics
- DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) is a monthly VA benefit for eligible survivors when a veteran dies from a service-connected condition or was totally disabled for a qualifying period before death.
- For some scenarios, if you were rated totally disabling (100% or TDIU) for at least 10 years before death, survivors may qualify even if the cause of death is not directly service-connected.
The 8-year rule (extra DIC amount)
- If you were rated totally disabling for at least 8 continuous years immediately before death, and
- You were married to your surviving spouse for those same 8+ years,
- Then the surviving spouse may receive an additional DIC amount each month.
Survivor health coverage
- CHAMPVA coverage for eligible survivors often continues, depending on remarriage and other factors.
One-hour checklist: easy wins with 100% P&T
Here’s a realistic list you can knock out in an evening.
- Download and print your Benefits Summary & rating decision.
- Make sure you’re enrolled in VA health care and your VHIC is up to date.
- Start CHAMPVA applications for spouse and kids (gather marriage / birth / student documentation).
- If you’ve got kids headed to school, explore DEA (Chapter 35) now — don’t wait until the semester starts.
- If you have federal student loans, check your eligibility for TPD discharge and start the process.
- Tell your lender you’re funding-fee exempt before you get deep into any VA mortgage pre-approval.
- Apply for your free Access Pass for federal lands and parks.
- Run the D4V compensation calculator with your dependents and any potential SMC — know what your check should be.
- Use the State Benefits Finder to map out property tax relief, vehicle perks, and tuition deals in your state.
Frequently asked questions about P&T
Will VA re-examine me if I’m P&T?
“Permanent” means VA doesn’t expect your condition to improve and generally won’t schedule routine future exams. However, they always retain the ability to review ratings for evidence of improvement, fraud, or clear error.
Does TDIU count as P&T?
TDIU pays at the 100% rate. If VA also marks your status Permanent & Total, you’re treated as P&T for many benefits that require “permanent and total” (like CHAMPVA and DEA). If your paperwork doesn’t show P&T yet, some of those extras may not be available until it does.
Can I work if I’m 100%?
If you’re schedular 100%, working is usually allowed. If you’re paid at 100% via TDIU, there are strict limits on substantially gainful employment — get advice from a VSO or accredited rep before taking a full-time job.
What about property taxes?
Many states offer major property tax exemptions or credits for 100% or P&T vets. Use the D4V finder, then confirm with your county assessor, bringing your rating letter and proof of residency.
Rules, rates, and dollar amounts change. Use this guide as a roadmap, then verify details on VA.gov, StudentAid.gov, and with a qualified VSO or accredited representative.