Special Monthly Compensation is additional VA compensation paid to veterans with severe disabilities — on top of regular disability ratings. It is one of the most valuable VA benefits available and one of the most underutilized. Billions of dollars in SMC benefits go unclaimed every year because veterans simply don't know it exists. Here's the complete breakdown.
SMC pays additional monthly amounts on top of your regular disability pay — not instead of it. SMC-K alone adds $126.77/month for erectile dysfunction, loss of use of a creative organ. SMC-S (housebound) adds $367.30/month to your existing payment. These stack with your regular rating. Use our pay calculator to see your total.
SMC Levels and 2026 Monthly Amounts
| SMC Level | What It Covers | Additional Monthly Pay (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| SMC-K | Loss or loss of use of a creative organ (erectile dysfunction qualifies), foot, hand, or other extremity; severe hearing loss requiring special aids | +$126.77/month |
| SMC-L | Loss or loss of use of both feet, both hands, or one of each; blindness in both eyes; total deafness; or permanently bedridden | $4,303.56/month (replaces regular pay) |
| SMC-M | Loss of use of one hand and one foot, or blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity | $4,716.39/month |
| SMC-S (Housebound) | 100% rating plus an additional 60%+ rating, OR permanently housebound due to service-connected conditions | +$367.30/month added to existing pay |
| SMC-R1 | Need for regular aid and attendance of another person | $5,765.07/month |
| SMC-R2/T | Need for daily, intensive aid and attendance | $6,531.45/month |
SMC-K — The Most Commonly Missed Benefit
SMC-K is added to your existing rating — it doesn't replace it. The most common qualifier is erectile dysfunction secondary to a service-connected condition (diabetes, PTSD, back injury, prostate conditions, etc.). If you have ED and a service-connected condition that could cause it, you qualify for an additional $126.77/month with minimal paperwork. This is one of the easiest VA benefits to add and one of the most commonly overlooked.
SMC-S — Housebound Benefit
You qualify for SMC-S housebound if:
- You have a single 100% rating plus at least one additional service-connected condition rated at 60% or more (separately, not combined), OR
- You are permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities
Many veterans at or near 100% meet the first criterion without realizing it. Check your individual ratings — if any single condition is rated at 60%+ alongside your 100% rating, you may qualify for an extra $367/month.
Aid and Attendance (SMC-R1)
Veterans who need regular help from another person for daily activities — bathing, dressing, eating, managing medications — may qualify for Aid and Attendance. This is available even if you're not rated at 100%, through the pension system. See the pay calculator for exact amounts with your specific rating and situation.
File VA Form 21-526EZ and specifically request evaluation for Special Monthly Compensation. You can also ask your VSO or VA representative to review your existing rating for SMC eligibility — many veterans are already eligible without knowing it.