SMC-K, also known as “Special-K,” is a category of Special Monthly Compensation available to veterans who have specific kinds of service-connected disabilities connected with their military service.
It is additional compensation you can receive every month on top of your regular VA disability monthly payments.
For a short guide on the easiest SMC-K claims from our attorneys, check out the video below.
The top 3 easiest SMC-K claims according to our attorneys?
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Reproductive Loss
- Loss of use of extremities
Who Qualifies for SMC-K?
There are a variety of disabilities that qualify for this category of special monthly compensation (SMC).
Some of them include:
- Lost, or cannot use, one hand or one foot.
- Lost, or cannot use, both buttocks.
- Loss of sight in one eye (just light perception).
- Loss of hearing in both ears.
- Cannot speak.
- Lost, or cannot use, a reproductive organ.
- Women veterans who have lost breast tissue because of military service.
What does “loss” and “loss of use” mean?
- Loss: You’ve physically lost a part of your body (like with amputation) because of military service.
- Loss of Use: The part of your body is still there, but you can no longer use it properly after military service.
How much does SMC-K pay?
For the most current information about Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) pay rates, visit the VA’s compensation rates page.
Remember, SMC-K is tax-free–you won’t pay taxes on it and it is in addition to your benefits from your VA disability rating.
How do I apply for SMC-K?
The VA should automatically qualify disabled veterans for this benefit, if you are eligible.
However, if you believe you should be receiving SMC-K but are not, you should contact your local VA office and consider applying for this benefit.
Content Review
Cassandra Crosby, an Accredited Agent and claims advocate for Matthew Hill & Shelly Mark’s teams, reviewed the information provided in this post.