VA Disability Glossary – Key Terms Every Veteran Should Know
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
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Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is an additional tax-free benefit paid to veterans, spouses, surviving spouses, or parents who have certain serious disabilities or needs that go beyond the regular VA disability rating schedule.
SMC is not based on a percentage rating alone. Instead, it is awarded when a veteran has specific conditions—like the loss of a limb, loss of use of organs, or needs daily aid and attendance—that require extra compensation because of the severity or impact on independence.
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Eligibility: Veterans qualify for SMC based on the severity and type of their service-connected disabilities, often involving loss of limb or loss of use of limbs, blindness, or the need for daily aid and attendance from another person.
Levels: SMC is categorized into different levels (e.g., K, L, S, R) each corresponding to specific disability criteria.
Additional Benefit: It is a tax-free benefit paid on top of standard disability compensation.
Aid and Attendance: SMC can be granted for veterans needing daily assistance with basic needs like dressing, eating, or bathing, often referred to as "Aid and Attendance."
Retroactive Payments: SMC can be awarded retroactively, with the effective date being the date the VA received the claim or the date the veteran became eligible, whichever is later.
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SMC is categorized into different levels (e.g., K, L, S, R) each corresponding to specific disability criteria. These are given instead of the standard VA disability compensation rates, except for Level K, which is given in addition to the standard monthly compensation rate.
Level K is extra compensation for the loss or loss of use of a creative organ.
Levels L through O cover specific disabilities and situations:
The amputation of one or more limbs or extremities
The loss of use of one or more limbs or extremities (meaning you have no effective function remaining)
The physical loss of one or both eyes
The loss of sight or total blindness in one or both eyes
Being permanently bedridden (unable to get out of bed)
Needing daily help with basic needs (like eating, dressing, and bathing), also called “Aid and Attendance”
Level R may apply if you need daily help from another person for basic needs (like dressing, eating, and bathing).
Level S may apply if you cannot leave the house because of your service-connected disabilities.
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SMC can significantly increase the amount of monthly compensation a veteran receives. It’s especially important for those with severe or multiple service-connected conditions that result in higher needs for care or support.
Because SMC eligibility is complex and based on specific criteria, working with a VA-accredited representative or attorney can help ensure that you’re not missing out on additional benefits. We have attorneys and representatives here at Greene & Marusak who can help you out with this.
Give us a call at (844) 483-8737