Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) provides additional monthly payments above the standard disability compensation rates for veterans with particularly severe disabilities. SMC is organized into levels identified by letters, and each level has specific qualifying criteria. The most commonly awarded level is SMC-K, which provides a fixed monthly addition for loss of use of a creative organ, loss of use of one hand or one foot, or being so near-sighted as to have only light perception. Many veterans receiving SMC-K do not realize they qualify. SMC-L is for veterans who need regular aid and attendance due to their service-connected disabilities. SMC-L through SMC-O represent increasing levels of severity for combinations of serious disabilities including loss or loss of use of limbs, blindness, and need for aid and attendance. SMC-R provides the highest rates for veterans requiring the highest levels of care. SMC-S, commonly called housebound rate, is for veterans with a single disability rated at 100 percent plus additional disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more. SMC-T is for veterans with traumatic brain injury who need assistance in their daily lives. Each level pays a different monthly rate that increases with severity. Understanding which SMC levels you might qualify for is important because VA does not always automatically consider SMC when it should.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).