Smc Pay

[jazar]

I am 100 percent should I file for smc or is that a waste of time?

[jbasser]

Flip, folks who are already SMC S (statutory Housebound or actuallt housebound by reason of SC'd disabilities) SMC. If hey require A&A then they get bumped to SMC L.

I advise folks to be careful when doing this. I know a Vet who tried recently to do this and the Vet got a severe retaliation.

J

[Teac]

Thanks, John, for the correction! This means one can get HB and A&A, which until now, because I thought they were both "s" awards, I thought they couldn't. Thanks again!

pr

Philip,

Just to be sure ....

Housebound SMC S is paid in addition to monthly compensation. A veteran may be eligible for Housebound benefits when:

1. The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, due to such disability, he/she is permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediate premises, OR,
   
2. The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100 percent disabling or TDIU based on one medical conditon AND, another disability, or disabilities, evaluated as 60 percent
   

• Aid and Attendance (A&A) SMC L is a benefit paid in addition to monthly compensation. A veteran may be eligible for A&A when:
  
• 
  
• The veteran is rated 100% and,
  
  1. The veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself from the hazards of his/her daily environment, OR,
     
  2. The veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR,
     
  3. The veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR,
     
  4. The veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
     

  A Veteran cannot be awarded SMC S and SMC L at the same time...(SMC L is the higher award)... Also the basic A&A rate starts at SMC L and increases in half steps (for example SMC L 1/2 or SMC M, or SMC M 1/2 ) it will depend on many factors such as addition ratings of 50% or more, loss of or loss of use of limbs and/or other serious medical conditions.

[Teac]

Just for those who wonder.

I was initially awarded SMC S, Housebound and appealed the awarded requesting SMC L, A&A.

A&A was first awarded based on need, then it was bumped up a half step based on my additional 50% + disability, over the seperate 100% rating. I held SMC S for 2 years before I won the appeal ( based on CUE I might add), and received the difference in compensation as backpay for those two years. So if you think you have a valid claim its worth appealing or requesting an increase which ever pertains to your situtation....

[Pete53]

I am rated SMC S and have asked for a higher rating. It bothers me that I should have been awarded SMC S when I first got my 100% and I should probably been given a higher rating than SMC S none of the medical facts are different from when I was awarded S I just had to ask and am waiting to see.