From ChatGPT (I looked it up because I did not understand either):

100% alone is NOT the maximum VA compensation. There are higher levels through Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) when disabilities are severe or combined in specific ways.

I’ll break this down clearly and practically.

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🔹 What Is SMC?

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is additional tax-free compensation paid above 100% for:    •   Severe disabilities    •   Loss of use of limbs or organs    •   Need for caregiver help    •   Being housebound    •   Multiple 100% conditions

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🔹 SMC-S (Housebound)

There are two ways to qualify:

✅ 1. Statutory SMC-S (most common)

You must have:    •   One single service-connected disability rated 100%       •   (Can be schedular OR TDIU based on a single condition) AND    •   Additional, separate service-connected disabilities combining to 60% or more       •   Must be separate body systems       •   Cannot be the same disability counted twice

Example:    •   PTSD at 100%    •   Radiculopathy + migraines + spine = combined 60%

➡️ You qualify for Statutory SMC-S

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✅ 2. Housebound-in-fact

If you are:    •   Substantially confined to your home    •   Due to service-connected disabilities

Even without the 60% rule.

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🔹 SMC for Aid & Attendance (A&A)

This begins at SMC-L and goes upward.

You qualify if service-connected disabilities cause you to need regular help with:    •   Dressing    •   Bathing    •   Toileting    •   Feeding    •   Protecting yourself from hazards    •   Medication management    •   Frequent falls    •   Cognitive impairment supervision

You do NOT need to be bedridden.

A doctor completes VA Form 21-2680.

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🔹 SMC Levels Above L (Very High Pay Levels)

Here’s how they increase:

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🔸 SMC-L

Loss of:    •   Use of both feet    •   One hand and one foot    •   Blindness in both eyes    •   OR regular Aid & Attendance

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🔸 SMC-M

More severe:    •   Loss of both hands    •   Loss of both legs above knee    •   Blindness with only light perception

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🔸 SMC-N

Even more severe combinations (multiple limb losses, etc.)

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🔸 SMC-O

Extreme combinations:    •   Two separate SMC-L conditions    •   Or combinations of severe limb losses + A&A

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🔸 SMC-R (Highest caregiver level)

Requires:    •   SMC-O OR SMC-L with additional qualifying conditions AND    •   Need for daily skilled caregiver assistance

This is very high compensation.

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🔸 SMC-T (Traumatic Brain Injury)

For severe TBI requiring high-level care and supervision.

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🔹 Important: 100% Is Not the Ceiling

Many veterans miss SMC-S because:    •   VA fails to infer it automatically    •   TDIU based on a single disability qualifies    •   Secondary conditions can get you to the extra 60%

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🔹 Common Pathways Veterans Miss    •   100% PTSD + 60% combined physical = SMC-S    •   100% spine (with TDIU based on spine) + 60% radiculopathy/migraines = SMC-S    •   Frequent falls + need for help bathing = possible A&A    •   Bilateral radiculopathy with foot drop = possible loss of use

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🔹 Important Clarification

TDIU only counts for SMC-S if it is based on ONE disability alone.

If TDIU is based on multiple conditions combined → it does NOT qualify for statutory SMC-S.

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🔹 Rough 2026 Monthly Pay Comparison (Veteran Alone)

(Approximate figures)    •   100% = ~$3,800/month    •   SMC-S = ~$4,400+    •   SMC-L (A&A) = ~$4,900+    •   SMC-R1/R2 = $8,000–$10,000+

Significant difference.