Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Calculator
Enter your service-connected ratings and losses for an educational comparison. You may qualify for the levels shown. VA decides SMC, including whether disabilities are separate and distinct. Free to use, with no login or uploads. Entries stay in this page's memory and are not saved or sent by this tool. RatingScope is not affiliated with VA.
Your condition ratings
Use separate rows for individual rated disabilities. For S, additional rows must also be separate from the single 100% disability. For half or full steps, they must be separate from every condition establishing the SMC base, with different anatomical segments or bodily systems. Check the separate box only when those requirements apply. VA decides.
Loss or loss of use
Loss of use means no effective function beyond what an amputation stump with a suitable prosthesis would provide. VA assesses remaining function. The highest shoulder and hip selections mean anatomical loss, not simply an inability to wear a prosthesis today (38 CFR 3.350(a)(2), (d)).
Housebound status and personal care
Substantially confined to your dwelling and immediate premises, or institutional ward, with confinement reasonably certain to continue throughout life. S also requires a single 100% disability.
Regular personal assistance with dressing, keeping clean, eating, toileting, certain appliance adjustments, or protection from everyday hazards. A constant need is not required. VA evaluates the actual need for assistance (38 CFR 3.352(a)).
The condition itself requires remaining in bed. Voluntary bed rest or prescribed rest for recovery alone does not meet this definition. This tool does not combine bedridden status with separate anatomical-loss bases, so a VA decision may differ.
Daily substantial personal health-care services at home by a licensed professional or under regular professional supervision, without which hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential institutional care would be needed. Supervision includes at least monthly consultation. VA decides whether this strict standard is met.
Educational comparison
You may qualify for: No SMC level shown from these entries
K count applied: 0 (0 selected qualifying losses before overlap and level restrictions).
$0.00 / month
Veteran alone. Basic combined rating: 0%, $0.00 / month. Difference: $0.00 / month.
Separate ratings use the existing 38 CFR 4.25 combined-ratings calculation. A combined 100% does not replace a single 100% disability for S or a full-step increase.
VA also applies intermediate rates for certain combinations of losses. Those anatomical combination steps, other deafness and blindness combinations, and the three-extremity increase are not calculated here. For A&A based on the selected losses, or bedridden bases, this tool conservatively excludes K items that could contribute to the care need. VA decides whether an additional loss is independent.
Educational comparison only. You may qualify for the levels shown. VA decides SMC. Amounts are 2026 veteran-alone rates (effective Dec 1, 2025) and do not include dependents.
Understanding Special Monthly Compensation
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) provides higher compensation for certain service-connected losses and care needs. Some K allowances can be added to a basic or SMC rate, subject to limits. Compare your entries for education. VA decides SMC.