Am I Permanent & Total?

VA rarely says “P&T” in those words. Four questions about your award letters will tell you.

This letter is the single clearest signal. Download it from VA.gov under Records → VA Benefit Letters → Benefit Summary and Verification Letter.
Look for wording like “we will not schedule a future examination” or, the other way, a specific review date.
Chapter 35 is only available to dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, so a grant is close to proof.

Answer the four questions and press Check My P&T Status.

Why this is confusing

“Permanent and total” is two separate findings. Total means VA pays you at the 100% rate — either because your combined rating is 100%, or because TDIU pays you at that rate. Permanent means VA does not expect material improvement, so it stops scheduling examinations.

You can be total without being permanent. Most rating decisions never use the phrase, which is why veterans end up reading three letters side by side trying to work it out. The reliable signals are the ones asked about here.

Informational only, not legal advice, and not a VA determination. Only VA can decide P&T status. This tool reads the same signals an accredited representative would look for in your award letters; the payment figures are the 2027 VA compensation rates effective December 1, 2026 (3.6% COLA) and assume payment at the 100% rate.