Veterans who qualify for VA disability may also qualify for additional payments known as Special Monthly Compensation or SMC. Veterans who suffer from certain injuries, illnesses or medical conditions that are considered more serious than others may be awarded SMC to offset increased medical and living expenses.
Who Qualifies for Special Monthly Compensation?
SMC may be paid to veterans, their surviving spouse, or their parents, in situations in which the veterans have special circumstances that meet a certain criteria. Veterans qualify for SMC when they are already awarded VA disability and also have one of the following conditions:
- Loss of use. Under the loss of use condition, the veteran has completely lost the use of a body part through amputation or because the body part is 100 percent non-functioning.
- Blindness. If the veteran meets the VA’s standard for blindness, SMC may be awarded in addition to disability.
- Homebound. When a veteran is unable to leave home or a care facility due to mental or physical limitations, he or she may be deemed “homebound.” SMC may be awarded as a result.
- Permanently bedridden. When a veteran is permanently unable to get out of bed, he or she is classified as “bedridden” and may qualify for SMC.
- Aid and attendance. If a veteran needs daily supervision or care from a family member, home health aide or home nurse, SMC may be awarded to offset these costs.
What Types of Disabilities Qualify for SMC?
There are hundreds of possible injuries or illnesses that may qualify someone for SMC. A few common injuries or illnesses for which veterans have been awarded SMC include:
- Loss of speech
- Loss of a limb
- Loss of a foot or hand
- Paralysis of a limb
- Paralysis of a joint
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Loss of use of reproductive organs (erectile dysfunction, female sexual arousal disorder, female breast reduction)