SMC-N: Higher Loss-Combination Rate

SMC-N, defined at 38 USC § 1114(n), is the fourth statutory rate above schedular 100% (after SMC-K, SMC-L, SMC-M). It applies when service-connected disabilities produce more severe bilateral losses than SMC-M, the key differences are: prosthetic use is precluded (not merely impaired), or the eye loss is total rather than light-perception only. The 2026 monthly rate is $6,152.64 for a veteran alone (effective December 1, 2025).

Any one of the following is sufficient. The statutory text reads:

"if the veteran, as the result of service-connected disability, has suffered the anatomical loss or loss of use of both arms with factors preventing natural elbow action with prostheses in place, has suffered the anatomical loss of both legs with factors that prevent the use of prosthetic appliances, or has suffered the anatomical loss of one arm and one leg with factors that prevent the use of prosthetic appliances, or has suffered the anatomical loss of both eyes, or has suffered blindness without light perception in both eyes…"

Translated:

• Anatomical loss or loss of use of both arms with factors preventing natural elbow action with prostheses in place
• Anatomical loss of both legs with factors preventing prosthetic appliance use
• Anatomical loss of one arm and one leg with factors preventing prosthetic appliance use
• Anatomical loss of both eyes
• Blindness without light perception in both eyes (more severe than the SMC-M light-perception path)

SMC-N½ is not a separate statutory rate. It is the arithmetic mean between SMC-N and SMC-O, authorized by 38 USC § 1114(p) and implemented at 38 CFR § 3.350(f). It is paid when a veteran qualifies for SMC-N and additionally has either:

• Service-connected disability independently ratable at 50% or more (per 38 CFR § 3.350(f)(3)), bumping the rate to the next intermediate or statutory step (SMC-N½ or SMC-O), OR
• A single permanent disability independently ratable at 100% (per 38 CFR § 3.350(f)(4)), capped at the SMC-O amount.

For the full intermediate-rate mechanism see the SMC-P explainer.

Effective December 1, 2025. Source: VA.gov SMC rate table.

Across 442 Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions in our corpus that address SMC-N (a phrase search of the decision text, May 2026), the evidence types cited in grants:

In a separate AI-extracted count of SMC-N issues decided by the Board, the issue-level grant rate is approximately 37%, modestly above the BVA-wide grant rate (~31%). SMC-N is a low-volume, high-bar tier; the small confirmed sample makes the rate noisier than the higher-volume levels.

Sample case: SMC-N granted

Denial themes in SMC-N cases mirror the SMC-M pattern, with two additions specific to SMC-N:

• Anatomical loss not established; loss of use only. SMC-N generally requires anatomical loss for the leg and arm-and-leg paths, not loss of use. Cases where the appellant argues SMC-N on loss-of-use grounds for legs typically lose unless the SMC-N elbow-factor path for arms is met.
• Light perception remains. SMC-N blindness requires no light perception in both eyes. Cases where the C&P examiner documents any light perception, even minimal, do not qualify for SMC-N on the blindness path; the appellant is redirected to SMC-M.
• Crossover to SMC-R1 / R-2 without SMC-O predicate. Appellants who reach SMC-N and additionally need higher-level aid and attendance often appeal directly to SMC-R1 / R-2. The Board denies because SMC-R1 / R-2 require SMC-O as the predicate, not SMC-N.