“Permanent and total” disability means that the individual has some permanent physical or mental impairment,
disease or loss that substantially precludes him from engaging in useful occupations
within his competence, such as holding a job or homemaking. Such impairment may be
obvious, such as loss of a limb, or discernable only through medical examination.
Disability as an eligiblity factor is not confined to complete helplessness; on the
other hand, it is recognized that, with assistance, services and training, disabled
individuals may become self-supporting.