100% schedular but other benefits if P & T

Question:

Hi Jim, My husband (aged 43, USN vet, active 94-06) had 4 strokes in 2017.  After a lot of paperwork and back and forth, he was granted 100% schedular in May ‘18, backdated to 09/17. This is because he was diagnosed with Diabetes in the Navy and as I’m sure you know, strokes are linked to Diabetes. My husband’s stroke residuals are quite severe. He cannot sit, stand or walk unassisted. He has limited movement of his arms, no balance and no functional use of his legs. While we remain optimistic that he will continue to improve, we also realize that he has now been confined to a wheelchair for 14 months without any success at standing unassisted or walking. There are benefits we can’t tap into (like a wheelchair van, home mods) that would only be granted if he was P&T. We would like to apply to have it changed to p&t but are so afraid that they will reduce the current rating (for whatever reason- the rating is 100% legitimate and accurate). He doesn’t have a re-exam until 05/21. What would you do?

Jim's Reply:

There really isn't a particular path to P & T and your concerns are legit...aggressively seeking a permanent rating can be hazardous. However, it seems that if anyone was ready to be rated as permanently disabled he would qualify. I'll email you in another venue so that I can get some more info from you and devise a plan.