Is there an age where the VA will consider you totally and permanently disabled?

Question

Briefly

15 years active (4 dsf)

Diagnosed ptsd while active

Admi  discharge rated 40 % in 2004 ptsd and neuropathy  afterlosing every damn thing I had worked for) Raised to 70% in 2011 Raised to 100% 2016 but not total or permanent I'm 50 years old... I'm sure that they will reevaluate me at some point my question is is there an age where the VA considers you total and permanent? I continue to go to PTSD therapy and I'm on a host of meds...

Jim's Reply

Yes. As a rule most entities that rate or compensate disabling conditions agree that after age 55 disabilities restricting the beneficiary from gainful employment will be permanent. The reason behind this is that we don't want to label an individual as permanently disabled when there is any chance of a return to mainstream employment. Therapy, retraining and learning new skills are offered to many in hopes of reintroducing the person to the work force. After age 55 retraining and new skills plus other societal factors make it far less likely that gainful employment will happen.

The future exam you're scheduled for is probably about 5 years out from the date of the recent 100% evaluation. You'll very likely be rated as permanent at that time.

 

Jim