---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 8105"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "8105"
heading: "Total disability"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/8105"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart G — Insurance and Annuities"
  - "Chapter 81 — Compensation for Work Injuries"
  - "Subchapter I — Generally"
---

# §8105. Total disability

- (a) If the disability is total, the [United States](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-18) shall [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4) the [employee](/usc/5/8101.md?p=1) during the disability monthly monetary [compensation](/usc/5/8101.md?p=12) equal to 66⅔ percent of his [monthly pay](/usc/5/8101.md?p=4), which is known as his basic [compensation](/usc/5/8101.md?p=12) for total disability.
- (b) The [loss](/usc/5/8401.md?p=18) of use of both hands, both arms, both feet, or both legs, or the [loss](/usc/5/8401.md?p=18) of sight of both eyes, is prima facie permanent total disability.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 535.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and<br>Statutes at Large |
|  | 5 U.S.C. 753. | Sept. 7, 1916, ch. 458, § 3, 39 Stat. 743. |
|  |  | Oct. 14, 1949, ch. 691, § 102, 63 Stat. 855. |

In subsection (a), the words “Except as otherwise provided in sections 751–756, 757–781, 783–791, and 793 of this title” are omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (b), the words “Loss, or” are omitted as included in “loss of use of”. The words “or the loss of sight of both eyes” are substituted for “or both eyes or the sight thereof”.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.