Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
What is SMC?
Special Monthly Compensation is a statutory payment under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 and 38 CFR § 3.350. It is not a schedular percentage.
SMC-K is an add-on. Levels L through S are basic SMC rates paid instead of the schedular 10–100% table. They are not added on top of the veteran-alone 100% rate of $3,938.58.
Official veteran-alone rates
Effective December 1, 2025. Veteran alone, no dependents. Source: VA.gov special monthly compensation rates. Schedular 100% comparison: VA.gov veteran rates.
SMC-K
Add-on under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k). VA.gov: 1 to 3 awards; not added to O, Q, or R.
SMC-L
Both feet; or one hand and one foot; or blindness in both eyes (5/200 or less); or permanently bedridden; or regular aid and attendance. Both hands is SMC-M, not L.
| Level | Veteran alone | How it pays |
|---|---|---|
| SMC-L | $4,900.83 | Basic rate (replaces 10–100% table) |
| SMC-L 1/2 | $5,154.00 | Basic rate (replaces 10–100% table) |
| SMC-M | $5,408.55 | Basic rate (replaces 10–100% table) |
| SMC-N | $6,152.64 | Basic rate (replaces 10–100% table) |
| SMC-O/P | $6,877.12 | Basic rate (replaces 10–100% table) |
| SMC-R.1 | $9,826.88 | Basic rate (replaces 10–100% table) |
| SMC-R.2/T | $11,271.67 | Basic rate (replaces 10–100% table) |
| SMC-S | $4,408.53 | Basic rate (replaces 10–100% table) |
Intermediate half-steps and dependent add-ons are on the official table. Do not treat these basic rates as amounts stacked on 100%. How VA assigns levels L through O is on that same VA.gov page.
Official sources
SMC levels in this catalog
9 catalog entries in Special Monthly Compensation. These are statutory levels under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 and 38 CFR § 3.350, not 38 CFR Part 4 diagnostic codes.
- SMC-KSMC-K: Specified anatomical loss or loss of use (add-on)
- SMC-LSMC-L: Both feet, one hand and one foot, 5/200 blindness, bedridden, or aid and attendance
- 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
⚠️ 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.