Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.

VA » Veterans Benefits Administration » Compensation » How to Read Compensation and SMC Benefits Rate Tables

Compensation

How to Read Compensation and SMC Benefits Rate Tables

These Rate Tables have been divided into the following groups of conditions:

Condition	Description
10% & 20%	The only increase to the amounts shown occurs when SMC (K) is added.
Without Children (see also 30% to 60% or 70% to 100% below)	These tables have the rates for: veteran alone veteran with spouse veteran with spouse and one or two parents veteran with only one or two parents adding spousal aid & attendance allowance
With Children (see also 30% to 60% or 70% to 100% below)	These tables add a child to each of the first four categories found in the description for Without Children above and have the rates for: veteran with child adding a non school child (child is under 18) adding a school child (child is over 18)
30% to 60%	These tables cover the combined degree evaluations of these percentages. The tables are either with or without children. See With Children or Without Children above.
70% to 100%	These tables cover the combined degree evaluations of these percentages. The tables are either with or without children. See With Children or Without Children above.
SMC (K)	This rate is added to any percentage from 0% through 100%. It is added to all SMC's except (O), (Q), and (R). A veteran may receive from one to three SMC (K) awards in addition to his basic and SMC rates.
SMC (Q)	This rate is a protected rate that has not been awarded since August 19, 1968. It is paid in place of any percentage other than 0%.
SMC (L) through SMC (N)	These tables cover SMC (L), (L 1/2), (M), (M 1/2) and (N). The tables are either with or without children. See With Children or Without Children above.
SMC (N1/2) through SMC (S)	These tables cover SMC (N 1/2), (O), (P), (R.1), (R.2) and (S). The tables are either with or without children. See With Children or Without Children above.

Example of Rate Calculation

To find a rate, pick on the rate table you think you want. Then click on the underlined hyperlink to jump to that table.

Read down the left column to the dependent status row that applies to have (for example: Veteran with Child Only, highlighted here in yellow).

Read across the row to the column holding the percentage that applies to you (for example: 40%, highlighted here in green).

The rate is $581.

30% - 60% With Children

Dependent Status	30%	40%
Veteran with Spouse & Child	$453	$644
Veteran with Child Only	$406	$581
Add for Each additional child under age 18 (see footnote c)	$22	$30
Each additional schoolchild over age 18 (see footnote a)	$72	$96

Do you actually have three children? Are all three children under the age of 18? Then read down the left column to the Add for "Each additional child under age 18" row. Go across that row to the 40% column and find the additional child under 18 rate (for example: $30, highlighted here in blue).

You already have the rate for a veteran with one child. Since that leaves two children unpaid for, multiply the "Each additional child under age 18" rate ($30) times two. (2 x $30 = $60).

Add the basic rate of a 40% disabled veteran with one child	$581
to the multiplied "Each additional child under age 18" rate	+ 60
and you have your monthly rate for a 40% disabled veteran with three children	$641