Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

In certain circumstances the VA will pay compensation to Veterans with certain needs or disabilities at a rate higher than 100%. This is called Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

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Applying

SMC is something that is generally automatically awarded and is not something you need to file for.

However, SMC K, Aid and Attendance SMC L, SMC R, SMC T, and Housebound (factually) are things you generally do need to file for.

• SMC K has no special forms or processes, simply file it as you would any VA claim.

• For information on how to apply for Aid and Attendance and Housebound click HERE.

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SMC Payrates

Check the following link to see the Latest rates.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• SMC is generally NOT paid in addition to the Veteran's rate.

  • The EXCEPTIONS to this are SMC-K and SMC-Q. (SMC-Q is an obsolete rate that has not been used since 1968.)

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SMC K (Loss of use of body part(s) or function(s))

SMC K is awarded to Veterans who have experienced loss of use, and applies to each body part loss or that has loss of use. To see what qualifies please check the FAQ.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• If you had an elective vasectomy, you are NOT eligible for SMC K. HOWEVER, if you are service connected for Erectile dysfunction then you ARE entitled to SMC K!

• SMC-K is paid on top of your disability compensation. EXCEPT in cases of SMC O, Q, and R.

• A single award of SMC K is given for EACH body part that is lost or cannot function.

  • HOWEVER, you CANNOT get the same award more than once per same limb (arm or leg). So you are only going to get a single SMC K for losing your left leg below the knee for instance.

• You can receive up to three SMC-K awards.

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SMC L (Aid and Attendance)

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SMC L is awarded to veterans who are rated 100% and, the Veteran must meet one of the following:

• Anatomical loss or loss of use of both feet;

• Anatomical loss or loss of use of one hand and one foot;

• Loss of sight or blindness in one or both eyes;

• Permanently bedridden;

• Need daily help with basic needs (like eating, dressing, and bathing).

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IMPORTANT NOTE:

• An additional eligibility requirement for aid and attendance is that the Veteran's Service connected disabilit(ities) that make up the basis for the need of aid and attendance must Combine to 100% or alone rate 100%.

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SMC L ½

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This is a more severe version of SMC L, with anatomical losses extending to the elbow and/or knee.

Also, see Special case 1.

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SMC M

The veteran must meet one of the following:

• The anatomical loss or loss of use of:

  • Both hands;

  • Both legs at the region of the knee;

  • One arm at the region of the elbow with one leg at the region of the knee.

• Blindness in both eyes having only light perception; OR

• Blindness in both eyes resulting in the need for regular aid and attendance.

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SMC M ½

See special Cases 1 and 2.

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SMC N

The Veteran must meet ONE of the following:

• The anatomical loss or loss of use of both arms at the region of the elbow;

• The anatomical loss of both legs so near the hip that it prevents the use of a prosthetic appliance;

• The anatomical loss of one arm so near the shoulder that it prevents the use of a prosthetic appliance along with the anatomical loss of one leg so near the hip that it prevents the use of a prosthetic appliance; or

• The anatomical loss of both eyes or blindness in both eyes to include loss of light perception.

SMC N ½

See special Cases 1 and 2.

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SMC O

The Veteran must meet one of the following:

• The anatomical loss of both arms so near the shoulder that it prevents the use of a prosthetic appliance;

• Bilateral deafness rated at least 60 percent disabling along with service-connected blindness with visual acuity of 20/200 or less of both eyes;

• Complete deafness in one ear or bilateral deafness rated at least 40 percent disabling along with service-connected blindness in both eyes to include loss of light perception;

• Paraplegia – paralysis of both lower extremities along with bowel and bladder incontinence;

• Helplessness due to a combination of anatomical loss or loss of use or two extremities with deafness and blindness or a combination of multiple injuries causing severe and total disability.

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SMC P

The Veteran must meet one of the following:

• The anatomical loss or loss of use of a leg at or below the knee along with the anatomical loss or loss of use of the other leg at a level above the knee;

• The anatomical loss or loss of use of a leg below the knee along with the anatomical loss or loss of use of an arm above the elbow;

• The anatomical loss or loss of use of one leg above the knee and the anatomical loss or loss of use of a hand;

• Blindness in both eyes meeting the requirements outlined in SMC L, M or N levels.

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SMC Q (No longer awarded)

This SMC rate is no longer awarded.

SMC Q was a special monthly rate payable for arrested tuberculosis and only payable when service connection was established prior to August 19, 1968.

It established a minimum payment of $67 for anyone in this category. Once the compensation for the 10 percent rate exceeded $67 most folks entitled to Q established entitlement to at least a 10 percent rating and their Q rating was discontinued.

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SMC R (Special Aid and Attendance)

SMC R is awarded to Veterans who are eligible for SMC under Level O, or under Levels N ½ and K together

AND

Require the help of another person every day to perform the majority of a Veteran's day to day living tasks.

Such as:

• Dressing and undressing;

• Cleaning and grooming;

• Eating;

• Using the restroom;

• Adjusting prosthetic or orthopedic appliances frequently.

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A Veteran may also qualify if:

The Veteran's disability (mental or physical) requires that another person regularly helps to keep them from harming themselves or others.

OR

The Veteran is bedridden.

NOTE:

• SMC R is NOT given to Veterans who are hospitalized or in a care institution. It is only for if the Veteran is being cared for at home.

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R1 rate is paid if the aid and attendance can be preformed by someone like a family member or friend (non-professional).

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R2 rate is paid if the aid and attendance can only be preformed by a medical professional.

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SMC S (Housebound)

SMC S is awarded to Veterans who are completely and permanently housebound*. This means that the Veteran cannot leave their home or residence.

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OR

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SMC S is awarded to Veterans who have a single 100% rating and a separate single 60% rating OR multiple ratings that combine VA Math to at least 60%. IE two 40%, or eight 10%, etc.

*This requirement is met when the veteran is substantially confined as a direct result of service-connected disabilities to his or her dwelling and the immediate premises or, if institutionalized, to the ward or clinical areas, and it is reasonably certain that the disability or disabilities and resultant confinement will continue throughout his or her lifetime.

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IMPORTANT NOTE:

• A grant of TDIU, can count as a singular 100% rating. HOWEVER, if the grant of TDIU is based off of multiple conditions, then TDIU CANNOT be used in place of a single 100% rating!

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SMC T

SMC T is awarded to Veterans who suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), specifically. A Veteran who has a TBI and is in need of regular aid and attendance for the residuals of TBI.

This includes Veterans who need to be in a residential care program or hospitalized due to the residuals of their TBI.

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NOTE:

• The rate for (T) is the same as the rate for (R-2).

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Special Cases

Only apply to Veterans who rate SMC L-N. Steps may not go above O, as there is nothing higher.

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Special Case 1

If the Veteran has a separate individual or combined 50% rating that didn't qualify them for an SMC then the veteran will have their SMC rate raised ½ level.

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Special Case 2

If the Veteran has a separate 100% rating that didn't qualify them for an SMC then the veteran will have their SMC rate increased one SMC level.

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Special Case 3

If the Veteran has a separate, service-connected conditions that qualify for SMC ratings under two (or more) different levels between L and N ½, then the veteran will be given SMC N.

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FAQ

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What is considered loss or loss of use?

Loss, or loss of use, means amputation or no effective remaining function of an extremity or organ. VA considers the following disabilities for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC):

• Loss, or loss of use, of a hand or foot;

• Immobility of a joint;

• Paralysis of a limb;

• Loss of sight of an eye (only seeing light);

• Loss, or loss of use, of a reproductive organ (Erectile Dysfunction, Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), loss of libido, loss of sexual drive, etc.);

• Complete loss, or loss of use, of both buttocks;

• Deafness of both ears (no air and bone conduction);

• Inability to communicate by speech (complete organic aphonia);

• Loss of a percentage of tissue from a single breast, or both breasts, from mastectomy or radiation treatment.

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During the C&P exam for SMC-K will the examiner have to physically inspect my privates to check for loss of use of a creative organ?

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Not necessarily. In order to qualify for certain ratings such as deformity, yes. However, generally the examiner will just ask you questions such as how ED/FSAD has affected you and if medication has helped you.

What rate will I be paid if I qualify for multiple SMCs?

You will be paid the higher SMC. The exception to this is SMC-K.

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How can I tell if I have an SMC?

Upon logging into Ebenefits:

• Click Additional Benefits - Located in the box labeled 'Things you can view here:'

• Click the [+] box located to the left of the text that says 'Special Monthly Compensation Benefits'.

References

• 38 CFR § 3.350 - Special monthly compensation ratings

• 38 CFR § 3.352 - Criteria for determining need for aid and attendance and “permanently bedridden"

• M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section A - Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)