Special monthly compensation / SMC-R.2/T
38 U.S.C. 1114(r) · effective December 1, 2025 · checked 2026-10-21
SMC-R.2/T rate and criteria
SMC-R.2/T pays $11,271.67 a month to a veteran with no dependents and $11,491.26 with a spouse, under VA's special monthly compensation table effective December 1, 2025. That is $135,260.04 a year for a veteran alone, and $7,333.09 a month (186.2%) more than the 100% schedular rate of $3,938.58. SMC-R.2 is the higher aid and attendance allowance, for a veteran who meets R.1 and needs a higher level of care. SMC-T pays the same amount to a veteran who needs regular aid and attendance because of service-connected traumatic brain injury residuals and is not eligible for R.2.
- 1SMC-R.2/T, veteran alone $11,271.67
- 2100% schedular rate $3,938.58
Who qualifies for SMC-R.2/T
VA's rate page has no list for SMC-R.2/T, so the conditions below are summarized from 38 U.S.C. 1114(r), the statute that sets the rate.
- R.2: meets the requirements for SMC-R.1 and needs a higher level of care: daily personal health-care services provided at home, with the need determined by a VA physician
- R.2: without that care the veteran would need hospitalization, nursing home care or other residential institutional care
- T: needs regular aid and attendance because of service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury
- T: is not eligible for the R.2 allowance, and without the aid and attendance would need residential institutional care
Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(t) the TBI allowance equals the (r)(2) allowance, is paid in addition to other compensation under section 1114, and replaces the (r)(1) allowance.
Criteria: 38 U.S.C. 1114 (Cornell LII), checked 2026-10-21. VA's regulation on SMC, 38 CFR 3.350, and the decision letter govern the details.
SMC-R.2/T pay for every dependent row
| Dependent status | Monthly | Above alone | Above 100% row |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone (no dependents) | $11,271.67 | — | +$7,333.09 |
| With spouse (no parents or children) | $11,491.26 | +$219.59 | +$7,333.09 |
| With spouse and 1 parent (no children) | $11,667.50 | +$395.83 | +$7,333.09 |
| With spouse and 2 parents (no children) | $11,843.74 | +$572.07 | +$7,333.09 |
| With 1 parent (no spouse or children) | $11,447.91 | +$176.24 | +$7,333.09 |
| With 2 parents (no spouse or children) | $11,624.15 | +$352.48 | +$7,333.09 |
| With 1 child only (no spouse or parents) | $11,418.52 | +$146.85 | +$7,333.09 |
| With spouse and 1 child (no parents) | $11,652.08 | +$380.41 | +$7,333.09 |
| With spouse, 1 child and 1 parent | $11,828.32 | +$556.65 | +$7,333.09 |
| With spouse, 1 child and 2 parents | $12,004.56 | +$732.89 | +$7,333.09 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent (no spouse) | $11,594.76 | +$323.09 | +$7,333.09 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) | $11,771.00 | +$499.33 | +$7,333.09 |
Added amounts at SMC-R.2/T: $109.11 for each child under 18 beyond the first, $352.45 for each child aged 18 to 23 in a qualifying school program, and $201.41 when the spouse receives Aid and Attendance. These are the same added amounts as at 100%, and every dependent row sits the same distance above the SMC-R.2/T "alone" figure as the matching 100% row sits above 100% alone, so the last column is one constant: $7,333.09. A veteran at SMC-R.2/T with a spouse, two children under 18 and one child in college receives $12,113.64: $11,652.08 (smc-r.2/t rate: with spouse and 1 child (no parents)) + $109.11 (additional child under 18) + $352.45 (child over 18 in a school program).
VA's worked example at SMC-R.2/T
VA's SMC page works one example: a veteran at smc-l with a spouse who receives aid and attendance, three children under 18 and one child over 18 in a qualifying school program, which comes to $6,053.32 a month at SMC-L. The same family at SMC-R.2/T would receive $12,424.16, $6,370.84 more than at SMC-L: $11,652.08 (smc-r.2/t rate: with spouse and 1 child (no parents)) + $109.11 (additional child under 18) + $109.11 (additional child under 18) + $352.45 (child over 18 in a school program) + $201.41 (spouse receiving aid and attendance) = $12,424.16.
Where SMC-R.2/T sits among the SMC rates
SMC-R.2/T is the O/P rate plus an aid and attendance allowance. For a veteran alone, SMC-O/P pays $6,877.12 and SMC-R.2/T pays $11,271.67, so the allowance inside it is $4,394.55 a month. That is $1,444.79 more than SMC-R.1 ($9,826.88), the difference between the two allowances. SMC-R.2/T is the highest rate in VA's compensation tables. The K amount is not added at this level: 38 U.S.C. 1114(k) places K on the basic rates, the (s) rate and the rates in (l) through (n).
Among the 10 SMC rates with a table, SMC-R.2/T ranks 1 from the top for a veteran alone. With two dependent parents and no spouse or children it pays $11,624.15.
How SMC is decided
VA considers SMC as part of a compensation claim; it is not a separate rating percentage, and the decision letter names the level. Pages on this site for the conditions behind many SMC awards: sciatic nerve paralysis, foot drop, traumatic brain injury and voiding dysfunction. The SMC table compares every level, the 100% page shows the schedular rate, and the calculator takes an SMC level and K awards. For survivors, see DIC rates.
Rates: VA, Current special monthly compensation (SMC) rates, effective December 1, 2025, checked 2026-10-21. Statute: 38 U.S.C. 1114 (Cornell LII).
Rating Ledger is not part of VA and does not file or decide claims. Amounts are VA's published special monthly compensation rates effective December 1, 2025, under 38 U.S.C. 1114 and 38 CFR 3.350; whether a level applies is decided by VA from the evidence. Last checked 2026-10-21. Only a VA decision sets a rating, an SMC level or a payment. See the methodology.