SMC-L: Both Feet, Hand and Foot, Blindness, Bedridden, or Aid and Attendance
38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) • 38 CFR § 3.350(b)
Veteran-alone basic rate
$4,900.83
Effective Dec 1, 2025
Paid instead of the 10–100% table
SMC-L is a basic SMC rate. It replaces the schedular 10–100% compensation table. It is not added on top of the 100% veteran-alone rate of $3,938.58.
Veteran alone, no dependents: SMC-L is $4,900.83 per month. That is not $3,938.58 plus $4,900.83. Only SMC-K (and the limited K stacking rules on VA.gov) is an add-on.
Dependents and other SMC facts can change the payment. Use the official table. Schedular 100% source: VA.gov veteran rates.
Who VA identifies at SMC-L
38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and 38 CFR § 3.350(b) identify SMC-L for any one of the following service-connected situations. This list does not add extra qualifiers.
- Both feet: anatomical loss or loss of use of both feet
- One hand and one foot: anatomical loss or loss of use of one hand and one foot
- Blindness in both eyes: visual acuity of 5/200 or less
- Permanently bedridden
- Regular aid and attendance: so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance
Anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands is SMC-M under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) and 38 CFR § 3.350(c), not SMC-L.
Other published veteran-alone basic rates
These are official veteran-alone figures from the same VA.gov table. They are basic rates, not amounts added to 100%. See VA.gov for how levels above L are assigned.
- SMC-L 1/2: $5,154.00
- SMC-M: $5,408.55
- SMC-N: $6,152.64
- SMC-O/P: $6,877.12
- SMC-R.1: $9,826.88
- SMC-R.2/T: $11,271.67
- SMC-S: $4,408.53
How veterans usually raise it
- File or supplement on VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits) and identify the SMC-L situation.
- When the path is aid and attendance, VA also publishes VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance).
- Ask a VA-accredited VSO or other accredited representative to review the record. This site is educational only and does not represent veterans before VA.
Official sources
Related pages
⚠️ 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.