What is a Special Monthly Compensation? 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) to qualifying veterans with especially serious disabilities or combinations of disabilities. Certain disabilities and combinations of disabilities are more debilitating than regular disability compensation rates account for, so VA pays a higher rate of compensation.

The VA states there are over 70 possible combinations of SMC ratings. 

SPECIAL MONTHLY COMPENSATION LEVEL K: LOSS OR LOSS OF USE

(38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) & 38 CFR § 3.350):

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) to qualifying veterans with especially serious disabilities or combinations of disabilities. Certain disabilities and combinations of disabilities are more debilitating than regular disability compensation rates account for, so VA pays a higher rate of compensation if you have them.

SMC-K is currently an extra $136.06/mo (2025)

SMC-K is based on the loss (amputation) or loss of use of a body part or function. Unlike other SMC levels, SMC-K compensation is paid in addition to regular VA Disability compensation, even if you do not qualify for any other type of SMC. Under SMC-K, a set amount is given for each body part or function that is lost or not functional. If you have more than one of the qualifying conditions, you can receive multiple SMC-K amounts.

The following body parts can be rated under SMC-K:

• Amputation of a hand

• Amputation of a foot

• Loss of use of a hand

• Loss of use of a foot

• Physical loss of one eye

• Total blindness in one eye to such a degree that the individual only has the ability to perceive light or less

• Physical loss of a creative organ, including ovaries, uterus, testicles, etc.

• Loss of use of a creative organ (This includes Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)). Will be rated at 0% plus the extra compensation.

• Inability to speak without the help of a prosthesis because of damage to the muscles or nerves that control the voice

• Complete deafness in BOTH ears (VA rating must be 100%)

• Loss of use of BOTH buttocks. For “loss of use” in this case, the veteran must be unable to rise to his/her feet and remain balanced without using his/her arms or assistance AND the condition must be rated at least 50%

• Loss of 25% or more of breast tissue in one or both breasts combined, or after radiation treatment to the breast tissues.

NOTES:

• If you are also receiving SMC under Levels L through O, the combined compensation rate (SMC-K + SMC L/M/N/O) cannot go beyond the amount given under SMC-O.

• If you are also receiving SMC-R, the combined compensation rate (SMC-K + SMC-R) cannot go beyond the highest amount given for SMC-R1 AND the condition that qualifies you for SMC-K cannot be the same condition that qualifies you for SMC-R.

Loss of Use: A Veteran may qualify as having lost use of a hand if he or she is no longer able to grasp and pick up small items with that hand or if he is not able to manipulate them. For example, they may not be able to pick up and write with a pen or may not be able to fasten buttons. In the same way, if the Veteran cannot bend the elbow, he or she may be considered to have lost the use of that arm.

Similarly, where a Veteran is not able to balance on a foot or use it to move forward, he or she may qualify for loss of use of that foot. In addition, where a Veteran is unable to bend the knee and, therefore, unable to properly use the leg, he or she may qualify for loss of use of that leg.