Eligibility for special monthly compensation

By Cajun Comeau, North Carolina department service officer

Q: Am I eligible for a special monthly compensation?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) program may provide benefits in addition to, or instead of, disability compensation if there is loss (or loss of use of ) a limb, sight, speech, hearing, mobility, sexual organ or functioning, or for certain other disabilities. There may be eligibility for SMC if the veteran is unable to leave the house or bed without help or is in need of regular help from another person in performing the basic tasks of everyday life, such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and transferring.

SMC compensates for non-economic losses, such as personal inconvenience and loss of use of a body part, or body system. SMC is one of the most complex VA programs. There are about 60 levels of SMC divided into nine letter categories (K-T). If you get SMC, the VA will tell you which of these categories you qualify for. Some of the letter categories also have inbetween levels. The two most common SMC letters are:

  • K: Anatomical loss of either one hand, one foot, both buttocks, one or more creative organs used for reproduction due to trauma while in the service (or as a residual of service-connected disabilities), one eye, voice due to disease or deafness of both ears.
  • S: Veteran has a 100 percent service-connected disability; a qualifying, additional service-connected disability (or disabilities) that is separate from the first disability and is independently rated at 60 percent; or is approved for VA disability compensation. Or, disabilities must directly cause the veteran to be confined to home. Also, it must be certain that a veteran’s disability or disabilities and confinement will continue for the rest of his or her life.

Because VA’s Special Monthly Compensation program is one of the most confusing and intricate programs that the VA offers, it is important that you seek assistance from an accredited veterans service officer. Find an American Legion service officer: www.legion.org/serviceofficers

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