Demystifying Special Monthly Compensation (VSO)

Special monthly compensation (SMC) is a VA benefit paid in addition to, or in lieu of, the rate of compensation payable under the schedule for rating disabilities. It is meant to compensate veterans for the loss of quality of life caused by severe service-connected disabilities. While a single veteran with a 100% disability rating is entitled to about $3,900 per month in disability compensation, a single veteran who qualifies for the highest level of SMC is entitled to over $11,000 per month.

SMC should be paid to veterans when service-connected disabilities cause them to be housebound or need the regular aid and attendance of another person, or have caused them to lose or lose the use of certain body parts. Unfortunately, the VA rules associated with SMC are complicated and confusing, particularly for the higher levels of SMC that require the loss or loss of use of multiple body parts or severe residuals of traumatic brain injury. The VA often fails to award the proper amount of SMC. Therefore, it is critical that veterans service officers understand the criteria for entitlement to the different types of SMC, so they can ensure that the veterans they represent are correctly compensated by the VA.

This 90-minute webinar will break down the rules related to the numerous categories of SMC and provide you with an easy-to-apply formula that will help you determine the level of SMC a veteran should be assigned. It will also cover the following and more:

• The requirements for establishing entitlement to each level of SMC
• The types of disabilities that warrant SMC
• The meaning of “loss of use” of various body parts
• How veterans who are not actually housebound can qualify for SMC at the housebound rate
• How some veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury can qualify for SMC(t), the highest level of SMC
• How to claim entitlement to SMC and seek retroactive benefits when the VA erroneously failed to award SMC in a decision that has become final