So, you’ve just been medically discharged from the military with a 100% disability rating. Congratulations! Now what? How will your life change? What benefits and resources are available to you?

A VA permanent and total disability rating indicates that the veteran is forever incapable to work in any manner. The “No Need for Exam” (NNE) designation means that veterans are no longer required to attend Compensation & Pension exams. 

We’ll talk through what you can expect after receiving your VA disability rating. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make the most out of your new status. Stay tuned!

What Does 100% VA Disability Entitle You To?

According to the VA, total disability means that you cannot work. Veterans who are granted disability at this level receive the maximum monthly payment. The VA has numerous qualifications vets must meet to achieve this rating.

VA disability also entitles veterans to many other benefits including:

• VA healthcare
• VA education benefits
• VA housing benefits
• VA transportation benefits
• VA job training benefits
• VA disability compensation and pension payments are tax-free. 

Suppose you are completely incapacitated due to a service-related injury or illness. In that case, you may be eligible for additional special monthly compensation. This gives veterans a higher standard of living and helps ensure their needs are met.

If you are a veteran who has been rated 100% disabled by the VA, you have earned some of the most significant benefits available to our nation’s heroes. These benefits can help make sure that you and your family are taken care of, both now and in the future.

What Are the Benefits of Being 100 Disabled Veteran?

Receiving VA disability payments, which are tax-free and can be used to cover the costs of housing, transportation, and other necessary expenses, is one of the advantages of being a 100% handicapped veteran. Veterans who are 100% disabled can also receive priority access to VA health care and education benefits. Additionally, veterans who are 100% disabled do not need to attend VA Compensation & Pension exams. Veterans who are completely disabled are eligible for numerous special advantages, including the ability to enroll in Health Care Priority Group 1 with no co-payments.

This implies they may be able to obtain the following:

• Specialty care
• Medical equipment, prosthetic aids, hearing aids
• Mental Health care
• Preventative care
• Geriatrics and extended care
• Foreign medical care
• Vision care
• Health care for Dependents (if not eligible for TRICARE)
• Primary health care
• Placement in a nursing facility
• Home health care services
• Travel benefits for medical reasons
• Dental care

(if not eligible for TRICARE)

100% VA disability rating are also eligible for several other benefits, such as:

• Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
• Special housing adaptations
• Vehicle registration fee exemptions
• Free VA healthcare
• Waiver of tuition and fees at state institutions and universities
• Vocational rehabilitation and employment services
• On-the-job training and apprenticeships programs
• Counseling
• Career guidance and counseling services
• Adaptive equipment grants for disabled veterans to help them find or keep a job.

Being a 100% disabled veteran has many benefits that can improve the lives of the veteran. These benefits can help with everyday living expenses as well as provide opportunities for education and employment.

Can a Veteran With 100 Percent Disability Still Work?

VA benefits are not intended to replace employment but rather to supplement a veteran’s income. Veterans who are 100 percent disabled can still work, but their disability may limit their employment. If you are given a 100% combined disability rating, this means there are no restrictions on the type of work you can do. You are allowed to work if you have a service-connected condition and meet the 100 percent rating. VA will provide you with the necessary accommodations to help you succeed in your job.

Suppose you are a veteran, and your disabilities make you unable to work. In that case, you may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). This benefit would compensate veterans at VA’s 100 percent disability rate. When veterans cannot keep a job because of their service-related injuries, they can get TDIU. A vet is only employed if their yearly salary surpasses the line for poverty, which changes depending on whether the person is single or has a family. 

In some instances, veterans receiving TDIU benefits may still be employed. There are different types of VA disability benefits, each with its own set of rules and regulations. Understanding the VA benefits, you are eligible for and how they can help you is important. VA disability benefits can help you cover the costs of housing, transportation, and other necessary expenses. Don’t hesitate to contact a VA representative with questions about VA benefits.

How Many Veterans Have a 100% Disability Rating?

8.3% of veterans with service-related disabilities were given a combined rating of 90% in 2021, while 16.9% received a 100% rating. The 100% VA disability rating is reserved for veterans who are considered permanently disabled, meaning that their disabilities are not expected to improve over time.

If a veteran is given a 100% rating, they receive over $1,300 each month than if they were given a 90% rating. In addition, veterans can add more service-related disabilities, protest the evaluation of a disability, or seek benefits for being unable to work if they already have a 90% rating and think they deserve 100%. 

The VA assigns a 0-100% scale to service-connected disability, with 100% being the most serious. A 100% VA disability rating means the VA has determined that the veteran is permanently disabled. This designation has several benefits, including eliminating the need to attend VA Compensation & Pension exams. Veterans who are granted a 100% VA disability rating are also eligible for several other benefits, such as health care and education benefits. VA disability benefits are tax-free and can be used to pay for housing, commuting, and other necessities. Veterans who are 100% disabled can receive priority access to VA.

Several types of disabilities can qualify a veteran for a 100% VA disability rating. These include physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and sensory impairments. Veterans can also receive a 100% VA disability rating if they have a combination of disabilities that make it impossible for them to work. To receive a 100% VA disability rating, veterans must provide evidence of their disabilities to the VA. This can include medical records, testimony from friends or family members, and statements from employers.

You may be eligible for VA benefits if you are a veteran with a service-related disability. If you think you deserve a 100% VA disability rating but have not yet been rated, you can contact the VA to discuss your options.

How Do I Know if My 100 VA Disability is Permanent?

The date VA granted your claims will be listed on the decision letter VA sent you when benefits were granted. If your 100% disability is permanent, the Permanent and Total boxes will be checked on several Rating Decisions.

Suppose your 100% VA disability is not permanent. In that case, VA will send you a letter every few years asking if your conditions have changed. You will only need to have a Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination if VA asks you to come in for one.

Suppose you think your VA disability benefits should be made permanent. In that case, you can submit a claim to VA asking that your benefits be made permanent. You must provide evidence to support your claims, such as medical records or testimony from friends or family members. VA will investigate your claim and make a determination. If you disagree with VA’s decision, you may file an appeal.