Compensation above the standard rate, for veterans with the most severe service-connected disabilities. 38 U.S.C. § 1114 · 38 C.F.R. § 3.350 · M21-1 Part IV.ii.2.H
Most veterans don’t know SMC exists. The VA has a legal duty to infer SMC entitlement (Akles v. Derwinski, 1991), yet the VA OIG has documented systemic failures to award it. This checks your situation against every SMC level — K through R.2.
SMC-K
$139.87/mo
Add-on for specific losses
SMC-S
$4,408.53/mo
100% + 60% separate
SMC-L
$4,900.83/mo
Aid & attendance
SMC-R.2
$11,271.67/mo
Maximum / higher care
2026 rates (effective Dec 1, 2025, 2.8% COLA). Educational tool only — not legal advice.