38 U.S.C. § 1114 and 38 CFR § 3.350
SMC-L: Both feet, one hand and one foot, 5/200 blindness, bedridden, or aid and attendance
Special Monthly Compensation
SMC level
SMC-L
This level is assigned under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and 38 CFR § 3.350(b). It is not a diagnostic code in 38 CFR Part 4.
What this level is
SMC-L is the basic rate in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and 38 CFR § 3.350(b). It covers anatomical loss or loss of use of both feet, or of one hand and one foot; blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less; being permanently bedridden; or being so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. Loss of both hands is SMC-M under § 1114(m) and § 3.350(c), not SMC-L.
How it is paid
SMC-L is a basic rate. It is paid instead of the schedular 10 to 100 percent table. It is not added on top of a 100% schedular rate.
Criteria
- Anatomical loss or loss of use of both feet.
- Anatomical loss or loss of use of one hand and one foot.
- Blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less. Section 3.350(b)(2) says an evaluation of 5/200 based on acuity in excess of that degree but less than 10/200, under 38 CFR § 4.83, does not qualify. Concentric contraction of the field of vision beyond 5 degrees in both eyes is the equivalent of 5/200 visual acuity.
- Permanently bedridden. The criteria are in 38 CFR § 3.352(a).
- So helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. The criteria are in 38 CFR § 3.352(a).
- Loss and loss of use of an extremity use the criteria in § 3.350(a)(2).
- Blindness in both eyes having only light perception, and blindness in both eyes that leaves the veteran in need of regular aid and attendance, are SMC-M under § 1114(m) and § 3.350(c), not SMC-L.
Sources
Checked October 5, 2026. The statute text was read on the Legal Information Institute’s publication of 38 U.S.C. § 1114. Section 3.350 was read on the eCFR; that section was last amended May 8, 2018. VA.gov’s special monthly compensation rates page was last updated December 3, 2025. The rates on that page are effective December 1, 2025. This page does not print dollar amounts.
Statutory basis on this page: 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and 38 CFR § 3.350(b).
Next steps
If a rating decision already names SMC-L, compare that decision with the criteria above and with the statute and regulation. This page does not decide whether a record meets the level, and it is not a direction to file.
- Read the linked subsection of 38 U.S.C. § 1114 and the matching paragraph of 38 CFR § 3.350.
- Read the current rates on VA.gov. The effective date is printed on that table.
- The free worksheet is a place to list records you already have. It stays in this browser.
- An accredited representative can explain how a section applies to a particular record.
Educational only. This site does not file and does not predict an outcome.
Other SMC levels
Other special monthly compensation levels in this catalog. All Special Monthly Compensation levels
- SMC-KSMC-K: Specified anatomical loss or loss of use (add-on)
- SMC-MSMC-M: Both hands, legs or an arm and a leg preventing natural knee or elbow action, or qualifying bilateral blindness
- SMC-NSMC-N: Both arms preventing natural elbow action, leg or arm-and-leg loss preventing a prosthesis, or no light perception
- SMC-OSMC-O: Two or more L through N rates, specified deafness with blindness, or both arms preventing a prosthesis
- SMC-PSMC-P: Intermediate or next higher rate
- SMC-RSMC-R: Additional aid and attendance allowance
- SMC-SSMC-S: Housebound, or one disability at 100 percent plus 60 percent
- SMC-TSMC-T: Aid and attendance for traumatic brain injury residuals
Source: 38 U.S.C. § 1114 and 38 CFR § 3.350 · Checked October 5, 2026 · VA.gov rates effective December 1, 2025
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.