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 S:

Permanently Housebound or Paid at Housebound Rate

(38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) & 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.

SMC-S is currently an extra $457.15/mo (2025)

Special Monthly Compensation under level S is based on a veteran who has a SINGLE, service connected disability evaluated as totally disabling (100% or TDIU) and one of two criteria:

 • SMC-S1…Has an additional SC disability, or combination of disabilities, independently evaluated as 60% or more disabling. -OR-

• SMC-S2…A veteran who is IN FACT permanently housebound due to a service connected condition.  If a veteran is unable to leave his or her house, hospital ward, care facility, etc. without assistance and the medical condition is not expected to improve.

NOTES FOR Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU or IU):

• If you are receiving TDIU for one disability, this should meet the criteria of having one service-connected disability rated totally disabling.

• If SMC-S is based on TDIU, the 60% or more disabling condition(s) must be separate from the condition you are receiving TDIU for. In other words, you must have at least two completely separate disabilities in order to be eligible for this benefit.

EXAMPLES OF SMC-S1:

• If the veteran receives 100% for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and 60% for left knee, right knee and back combined, he/she would be eligible for SMC-S1.

• If a veteran has a 70% scheduler rating for major depressive disorder (MDD), and is receiving TDIU based solely on the MDD, and also has a 60% rating for asthma, he/she will qualify to receive SMC-S1.

Non-medical indicators for SMC-S2 housebound status may include but are not limited to:

• inability to walk substantial distances

• leaving the home with assistance only occasionally for appointments

• grocery shopping,

• church, or

• inability to mow one’s lawn.

EXAMPLE TEMPORARY SMC-S1:

A Veteran is service connected for a knee disability and is awarded a temporary 100% rating for partial knee replacement for 4 months plus one month for convalescence following surgery. The Veteran is service connected for PTSD, which is rated 70-percent disabling. SMCS1 will also be awarded while the total rating is in effect for 5 months, as the separate PTSD evaluation of 70 percent establishes the basis for award of SMC at the housebound rate.