Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee in Maine’s U.S. Senate race, receives thousands of dollars per month from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in disability payments.

He has said he gets free health care and about $4,800 a month for a variety of injuries connected to his military service, including “a couple herniated discs,” injuries to his shoulders and knees, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He’s gotten a 100% disability rating from the VA, he said.

It may seem unusual for a candidate with such conditions to have such an active public life. Platner, who served four tours in the Middle East, is also an oyster farmer in his town of Sullivan. His campaign launch video shows him splitting firewood and working out with a kettlebell. And he’s crisscrossing the state at a breakneck pace holding town hall events.

About 100 veterans currently serve in Congress, including 20 in the Senate.

Some critics have questioned the extent of Platner’s stated injuries. Others have questioned the fitness of his opponent, Republican Susan Collins, 73, who disclosed a longstanding and benign medical condition last week that causes her to shake.

Platner’s campaign declined to make him available for an interview on Friday or Monday. A spokesperson did not answer a list of questions about his injuries. Nor did the spokesperson respond to concerns from critics.

But Platner has spoken about his disability in the past. Here are some questions about his VA benefits, answered.

Are VA disability benefits similar to Social Security disability?

No.

Often, when people think of disability benefits, they think of Social Security disability, which pays a small monthly amount to those who are unable to work because of a severe medical condition that lasts more than 12 months, or that results in death. Qualifying conditions for adults include mental, cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal disorders.

“This is a strict definition of disability,” the agency website states.

VA benefits work differently. Those who claim the benefits often continue to work — even some of those found to be totally disabled.

“It is a fundamental misunderstanding around how the VA rating system works,” Platner told News Center Maine in November. “There are a lot of disabled combat or just disabled vets at 100% who still work.”

In the VA system, when a disability claim is made, a veteran must undergo a compensation pension exam to determine the number and extent of any service-related injuries that would qualify them for benefits. It’s a complicated process that involves a thorough review of medical records.

Barrett Fisher, the supervisor of veterans’ services with the state, said the book on disability ratings is about 2,500 pages. The rating process can take 120 days or more, he said.

“There’s a lot that goes into it,” Fisher said. “It’s not easy to get to 100%.”

Generally, Fisher said it’s not uncommon for someone with a 100% disability rating to work and appear healthy to outside observers.

“A lot of what a veteran could be rated on are things that you can’t see,” Fisher said. “If a veteran has any mental health conditions, that’s not something you’re going to be able to take a look at a person and tell. And we’ve got veterans that have had knees replaced and you can’t tell that by looking at somebody.”

What has Platner said about his disability?

Platner’s campaign referred the Portland Press Herald to comments the candidate made to News Center Maine in two separate interviews in October and November.

“I’ve got a couple herniated discs. My shoulder’s a wreck. My knees bother me,” Platner, 41, said in October. He’s also talked about his hearing loss and getting therapy for PTSD.

In November, he told the station his disabilities would not affect his ability to serve in the Senate.

How many Mainers get VA disability benefits?

As of May 2023, nearly 110,000 veterans lived in Maine, with roughly 30,300 receiving some level of disability compensation. It’s unclear how many are considered totally disabled like Platner, but national estimates suggest one in four have a 100% rating.

Currently, monthly compensation ranges from $180 a month for someone who is single and has a 10% disability rating to $3,940 a month for those with a 100% disability rating. That compensation increases if someone is married with a dependent spouse, children or parents. (Platner is married, but has no children.)

A veteran can receive more than the monthly maximum pay for a variety of other reasons, including being bedridden or unable to function without assistance. Other qualifying conditions include amputation, loss of limb, blindness and hearing loss.

What does a 100% disability rating mean?

A 100% rating can come from either one or multiple injuries connected to service, with the highest ratings reserved for the most debilitating injuries — whether physical or mental — including PTSD.

When a veteran has multiple injuries, the VA uses a complex system to produce a combined disability rating that does not exceed a 100%.

When a veteran is totally disabled based solely on their service injuries, they can get a 100% schedular VA Disability Rating. Alternatively, a veteran can get a Total Disability Based on Individual Employability designation, which is based in part on the individual’s inability to work full time, and is a separate distinction from the 100% disability rating.

“Veterans must show they cannot engage in ‘substantially gainful employment,'” says the advocacy group, Veterans Guide. “This could be due to physical limitations, such as chronic pain or mobility issues, or mental health conditions like PTSD. The VA looks at factors such as the veteran’s education, work history, and the severity of their service-connected disabilities to determine eligibility for (Total Disability Individual Unemployability).”

Platner’s campaign would not disclose his type of disability rating. Nor did a spokesperson provide details about the ratings for each of his service injuries or the role of his PTSD.