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Is VA disability for life? Can it go away?
In this post, we reveal and explain what you need to know regarding the length of your VA disability, including your right to appeal the VA’s decision.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- VA disability benefits may last for life, but not all ratings are automatically permanent.
- Disabilities that are severe, degenerative, or unlikely to improve are more likely to receive permanent ratings.
- For non-permanent ratings, the VA conducts periodic re-evaluations, and if medical evidence shows improvement, they may reduce or discontinue benefits.
Is VA Disability for Life?
Many veterans wonder if their VA disability benefits will last forever or if the VA could reduce them over time. While some VA disability ratings are permanent, others may be subject to review and adjustment.
Below we take a closer look at 5 common questions & scenarios and their impact on your VA disability benefits over time.
How Long Does VA Disability Last?
Your VA disability benefits continue as long as you have a compensable rating for your service-connected condition.
However, the VA may reduce or revoke your disability compensation if your condition significantly improves.
If you’ve maintained the same disability rating for at least 20 years, the VA protects your rating from reduction.
The Only Exception to the 20-Year Rule:
- The VA can eliminate your rating if it determines the original rating was based on fraud.
Other Considerations:
- Permanent and Total (P&T) Rating: If you receive a P&T rating, your disability is already considered stable, making reductions unlikely. In this case, the 20-year rule becomes unnecessary.
- Permanent & Unlikely to Improve: If the VA deems your service-connected disabilities permanent and unlikely to improve, reductions are generally not expected, making the 20-year rule less relevant.
Read More: 5 10 20 Year Rule VA Disability: 3 Rules Every Veteran Should Know!
Will VA Disability Ever Go Away?
Yes, your VA disability can be terminated if the VA deems that your condition has improved significantly and no longer meets the compensation criteria.
However, the VA must first conduct a thorough review of your record to determine whether your condition has significantly improved.
Per the VA’s 5-year rule, the VA can reevaluate your existing VA disability rating within 5 years of your initial examination, but only if your disability condition is expected to show “material improvement” over time.
You can appeal against the VA removing your VA disability by filing an appeal within one year from the date of the decision letter.
Is Permanent and Total VA Disability for Life?
Yes, if the VA determines your condition won’t improve and grants you permanent and total (P&T) VA disability, you will receive benefits for life.
A permanent rating is often marked as static, meaning you won’t be scheduled for routine future evaluations or re-examinations.
You can confirm this by checking your VA rating code sheet to see if your conditions are classified as static.
Related: How to Check If Your VA Disability Rating is 100% Permanent and Total (P&T)
Is 100% VA Disability for Life?
Your 100% VA disability is for life if it meets one of the following criteria:
- Permanent & Total (P&T) Status: If the VA determines your condition will never improve, they assign permanent & total status, meaning your benefits last for life.
- Static Conditions: If a condition is unchanging, has no chance of improvement, and has been rated 100% for a long time, the VA is unlikely to reduce it.
- 100% VA Disability Rating for 20+ Years: If you’ve had a 100% VA rating for at least 20 years, the VA can’t lower or remove it.
- Age 55+ Protection: Veterans aged 55 and older are less likely to be scheduled for re-evaluations unless there’s clear evidence of improvement.
Is VA Disability Compensation for Life?
No, VA disability compensation isn’t automatically for life. The VA can review and adjust ratings based on medical improvements or new evidence.
The VA periodically re-evaluates some conditions and may reduce or discontinue benefits if your health improves. If the condition remains the same or worsens, the rating stays unchanged or may increase.
However, some VA ratings are more permanent than others. If you’ve had the same rating for 20 years, the VA can’t reduce it below its lowest level unless fraud is involved.
The VA generally protects permanent and total ratings from re-evaluation. In addition, the VA rarely re-examines veterans over 55, those with stable conditions, and those with static disabilities, making their benefits effectively lifelong.
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About the Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
