Understanding how to get to SMC M

[Richard1954]

I  presently have SMC L 1/2 based on  a 100% rating for Lung disease, and an additional rating of 60% for my  lower back.

To get a half step increase from L veteran must have 

Other Disabilities Combine to 50%

If you have separate, service-connected conditions that combine to 50 percent, then the level is bumped up to the next ½ level. That is, a veteran whose SMC condition was found in Level L would be moved up to compensation rates for Level L ½ (Level L ½ would move up to M, M to M ½, etc.).

For example, say a veteran has both feet amputated (100 percent rating), arthritis in the right hand (30 percent), and PTSD (30 percent). The loss of both feet qualify for SMC under Level L. The arthritis and PTSD do not qualify for SMC, but combined, they equal at least a 50 percent rating. (Note: VA calculates combined ratings using a Combined Ratings Table – ratings are not simply added together. Read our post on the VA Rating Schedule to learn how to combine ratings on your own.) So, the original Level L for the amputated feet would be moved up to Level L ½.

In the above situation, note that the additional disabilities combine to 50 percent on their own – i.e. not including the SMC-eligible condition. Also, the additional disabilities are not taken into consideration under another SMC level. That is, the above disabilities qualify for this special rule because there is no SMC level that specifies “both feet amputated and arthritis of the hand” or something similar.

 

Ok... so if I have additional disabilities that combine at 50% or more  am I then entitled to an additional 1/2 step increase  up to  SMC M.    In my case,  I have  7 additional ratings that combine at 68.11  rounded to 70%. ....

 

The rules also state:

Another Disability at 100%

If you have a separate, service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, then the level is bumped up an entire step instead of a half step. Unlike the 50 percent situation, you just have to have one disability rated at 100 percent (not multiple disabilities that combine to 100 percent).

If the conditions that qualify you for Special Monthly Compensation are caused by a disease (for example, if your amputations were caused by service-connected diabetes), then that disease cannot count toward the 50-percent combined rating or single 100-percent rating necessary to move up to the next SMC level.

 

SO what does all this mean? Can I get to SMC M by having more than one list of disabilities rated at least 50% each ( in my case one 60% rating -  L 1/2  and 7 additional ratings combined at 70% = M ) 

or must I have one separate rating at 100%.......to get to step M.....

 

The rules are confusing  

[broncovet]

Welcome to the "SMC confused" club.  You have some company:  VSO's (almost all of them), many attorney's, almost all VA employees, and several geniuses, all belong to this club.  

Alex's "Mr. Potatoe head" post may help.  https://asknod.org/2013/02/27/special-monthly-compensation-what-is-it/

The only thing worse (as far as confusion) than SMC is RAMP, where attorney's, VA officials, Veterans, VSO's, and even Berta is confused on RAMP.  And, Berta never gets confused.  That's how bad it is.  

Edited February 22, 2019 by broncovet

[VICDE]

On 2/23/2019 at 5:53 AM, Richard1954 said:

SO what does all this mean? Can I get to SMC M by having more than one list of disabilities rated at least 50% each ( in my case one 60% rating -  L 1/2  and 7 additional ratings combined at 70% = M ) 

or must I have one separate rating at 100%.......to get to step M....

Richard 1954,

I just went through this same process and had the same questions as you did.  It simply means that despite your additional ratings - unless you have 1 additional disability that is both independent and rated at 100% (i.e. not combined rating) you will  not get the desired bump from L 1/2 to M going this route.  When I received my additional independent rating for 100%,  I left the L 1/2 ratings and conditions that constituted the 1/2 behind and the increase (bump) was based solely on my newly acquired independent 100% rating.  So it seems your route to SMC M in this fashion will be predicated on you having an addition independent 100% rating by itself as with me (although there are other means of acquiring an SMC M rating).  I believe this is the essence of what it says.  I hope others respond and please advise if this is incorrect.  This was my experience.

Last, I would add that currently even if you get several additional 100% ratings in addition to the L, you will only get bumped one time.

Edited October 20, 2019 by VICDE
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