1) Quick Overview: SMC vs CRSC
What it is
SMC = VA pays extra for specific, severe impacts (loss of use, A&A, housebound, etc.).
What it is
CRSC = Restores some/all retired pay offset when your VA rating is combat-related.
Who runs it
SMC is VA-run. CRSC is a DoD program paid through DFAS after branch approval.
Key idea: SMC is about how severe your service-connected limitations are. CRSC is about combat-related causation and
a retired-pay offset issue. They solve different problems.
2) VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Definition
SMC is a higher level of VA disability compensation paid when a service-connected condition causes certain special circumstances—for example, needing regular assistance from another person, being substantially confined to the home, or having specific anatomical loss/loss of use. VA publishes current SMC rate tables and explains the SMC structure. (VA SMC rates & tiers)
| Common SMC concept | What it generally means in practice |
|---|---|
| SMC-K (add-on) | Usually an additional amount for specific losses (often “loss of use” categories). It can be added to certain base SMC levels. |
| Housebound | Generally tied to being substantially confined to the home due to service-connected disability and/or meeting certain rating patterns (VA applies specific rules). |
| Aid & Attendance (A&A) | Needing regular help with activities of daily living (ADLs) or protection from hazards due to disability. VA uses medical evidence (often via VA Form 21-2680). |
| Higher tiers (L, M, N, O, R, etc.) | Reserved for more severe combinations—often multiple losses, very high care needs, or special circumstances. |
Practical rule: If you need help with bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, medication management, transfers, or safety supervision,
you should strongly consider an SMC Aid & Attendance strategy with strong medical documentation.
3) Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC): Definition
CRSC is a DoD program for eligible military retirees that can restore some or all of retired pay that is offset due to receipt of VA disability compensation, when the disabilities are verified as combat-related. DFAS explains the general VA offset/waiver rule and how CRSC can restore amounts in qualifying cases. (DFAS: VA waiver/offset + CRDP/CRSC)
| Combat-related category | Typical meaning (high level) |
|---|---|
| Armed conflict | Injuries incurred as a direct result of combat/engagements. |
| Hazardous duty | Examples can include parachuting, demolition, flight deck duty—depends on proof and service criteria. |
| Instrumentality of war | Military equipment/vehicles/weapons causing injury under warlike conditions (not ordinary accidents). |
| Simulated war | Training exercises that simulate war (live-fire, field training, etc.) with required proof. |
Read more: DFAS: CRSC
U.S. Supreme Court Rulings You Should Know
Soto v. United States (U.S. Supreme Court, June 12, 2025) — CRSC Retroactive Pay
In Soto v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court addressed whether the government could limit Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) retroactive payments using the “Barring Act” six-year rule. The Court ruled that the CRSC statute provides its own settlement/claims process and therefore the Barring Act’s six-year settlement mechanism (and its time limit) does not cap CRSC the way the government applied it.
Practical impact: If you were approved for CRSC but your backpay was limited due to a six-year bar,
this decision may support a recalculation to pay you for all months you were eligible.
If you never applied because you thought it was “too late,” this ruling is also relevant to you.
Official opinion PDF: Soto v. United States (No. 24-320)
Henderson v. Shinseki (U.S. Supreme Court, March 1, 2011) — VA Appeal Deadline (CAVC)
In Henderson v. Shinseki, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the 120-day deadline for filing a Notice of Appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) is a claims-processing rule and does not automatically strip the court of power (i.e., it is not “jurisdictional” in the strict sense).
Why it matters: This case is often cited in timing/late-filing arguments and is part of the “veteran-friendly”
framework courts use when interpreting procedural rules in the VA system.
Opinion PDF: Henderson v. Shinseki, 562 U.S. 428 (2011)
4) How to Get SMC (Step-by-Step)
Identify which SMC theory fits your reality
Most SMC wins are built around one of these:
Most SMC wins are built around one of these:
- Aid & Attendance (A&A): you need regular help with ADLs or safety.
- Housebound: you’re substantially confined to home due to service-connected disability.
- Loss of use / anatomical loss: specific body parts or functions (often SMC-K add-on; sometimes higher).
- Combinations: multiple severe conditions can move you to higher tiers (VA applies rules for stacking/combining).
Get the right medical form completed (especially for A&A/Housebound)
VA Form 21-2680 is commonly used to document housebound status or need for regular A&A. (VA Form 21-2680)
VA Form 21-2680 is commonly used to document housebound status or need for regular A&A. (VA Form 21-2680)
Tip: Have the clinician be extremely concrete: list ADLs you cannot safely do, how often you need help, fall risk,
cognitive/safety issues, medication errors, transfers, incontinence care, etc. “Needs help” is weaker than “requires hands-on assistance
with bathing 6 days/week due to balance loss and syncope risk.”
Write a short, structured statement tying limitations to service-connected conditions
VA Form 21-4138 can be used to provide supporting statements. (VA Form 21-4138)
VA Form 21-4138 can be used to provide supporting statements. (VA Form 21-4138)
- List your service-connected diagnoses that cause the limitations.
- List your ADL limitations (bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, transfers, meds, safety supervision).
- Give 2–3 real examples of incidents (falls, leaving stove on, missed meds, inability to get to bathroom, etc.).
- Describe who helps you, how often, and what happens if they don’t.
Submit as a claim or as part of an increased evaluation strategy
Practically, SMC is usually requested as:
Practically, SMC is usually requested as:
- A specific request for SMC (A&A/housebound), or
- Evidence submitted during a pending claim/appeal where the facts raise SMC entitlement.
Be ready for a C&P exam and respond fast to VA development letters
If VA schedules an exam, show up with your caregiver notes, fall logs, medication lists, assistive device use, and your completed 21-2680.
If VA schedules an exam, show up with your caregiver notes, fall logs, medication lists, assistive device use, and your completed 21-2680.
SMC Evidence Checklist (What Wins Cases)
- Completed VA Form 21-2680 with specific functional findings (not vague).
- Caregiver statements: exactly what they do and how often (hands-on vs standby).
- Primary care / specialist notes documenting falls, ADL dependence, cognitive impairment, incontinence, medication issues.
- PT/OT evaluations describing functional limits (transfers, gait, balance, endurance).
- Assistive devices: walker, cane, wheelchair use; home safety modifications.
Common SMC denial pattern: The record shows diagnoses but not functional impact.
SMC is largely a function case: what you can’t do safely and independently because of service-connected conditions.
5) How to Get CRSC (Step-by-Step)
CRSC is not filed with VA. You apply through your Branch of Service, and DFAS pays it after approval.
(DFAS: Apply for CRSC)
Confirm you meet baseline eligibility
In general, CRSC eligibility includes being entitled to/receiving retired pay, having a VA rating of at least 10%, and having retired pay reduced by VA compensation (the VA offset). See VA and DFAS for eligibility details. (VA: CRSC overview)
In general, CRSC eligibility includes being entitled to/receiving retired pay, having a VA rating of at least 10%, and having retired pay reduced by VA compensation (the VA offset). See VA and DFAS for eligibility details. (VA: CRSC overview)
Complete DD Form 2860 (initial CRSC claim)
DFAS instructs first-time applicants to complete DD Form 2860. (DFAS: DD 2860 instructions)
DFAS instructs first-time applicants to complete DD Form 2860. (DFAS: DD 2860 instructions)
Build your “combat-related proof packet” per condition
Your burden is typically: (1) VA rated it, and (2) it meets combat-related criteria with evidence.
Your burden is typically: (1) VA rated it, and (2) it meets combat-related criteria with evidence.
Tip: Organize your packet by condition. For each condition include: VA decision/code sheet + combat-related evidence + a one-page narrative
explaining why it falls under (armed conflict / hazardous duty / instrumentality of war / simulated war).
Submit to your branch CRSC office and track status
CRSC is a branch decision process (DFAS pays after approval).
CRSC is a branch decision process (DFAS pays after approval).
If denied or partially approved: request reconsideration (when appropriate)
Many branches allow reconsideration when you add missing evidence or when new combat-related disabilities are rated.
Many branches allow reconsideration when you add missing evidence or when new combat-related disabilities are rated.
CRSC Pay Basics (VA Offset, CRDP vs CRSC)
In general, federal law restricts receiving full VA compensation and full military retired pay at the same time, which creates the VA waiver/offset. DFAS explains the offset and how CRSC or CRDP may restore some or all of the waived amount depending on eligibility. (DFAS: VA waiver/offset)
- CRDP is a different program (concurrent receipt) for certain retirees; rules differ from CRSC.
- CRSC is specifically tied to combat-related disabilities and is approved by your branch.
Best practice: If you’re unsure whether you should be on CRDP or CRSC, focus your CRSC packet on the strongest combat-related conditions first.
Partial approval can still be valuable if it restores meaningful retired pay.
6) SMC Rates
VA publishes the current SMC rates (effective dates included on their page). Use VA’s official table for the most accurate numbers: VA SMC rates.
Why this page doesn’t list dollar amounts: SMC rates change with annual COLA updates. Linking the official table prevents outdated info.
7) Common Pitfalls (SMC & CRSC)
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
| SMC claim proves diagnosis, not function | Use functional evidence: ADLs, safety, frequency, hands-on needs; clinician specificity on 21-2680. |
| SMC A&A evidence ignores “hazards” supervision | Document safety supervision: falls, confusion, wandering, cooking hazards, medication mismanagement. |
| CRSC packet is a dump of records | Organize by condition with a one-page narrative + exact “combat-related” category + key exhibits. |
| CRSC filed with the wrong agency | File with your branch CRSC office using DD Form 2860 (initial claim). |
| CRSC evidence doesn’t prove combat-related nexus | Include incident/LOD-style proof, orders, awards, evaluations, VA rating decisions/code sheets, and medical records showing how it meets criteria. |
8) Copy/Paste Templates (Optional but Useful)
SMC (A&A) Veteran Statement Outline
Use with VA Form 21-4138 if helpful.
1) Service-connected conditions causing my limitations:
- [List SC conditions]
2) Activities I cannot do safely/independently (ADLs):
- Bathing: [how/why]
- Dressing: [how/why]
- Toileting: [how/why]
- Feeding: [how/why]
- Transfers/mobility: [walker/wheelchair, falls, assistance]
- Medication management: [missed doses, confusion, assistance]
- Safety supervision: [stove, wandering, falls, seizures, etc.]
3) How often I need assistance:
- [Daily/weekly frequency + duration]
4) Who helps me and what they do:
- [Name/relationship] helps with [tasks] [frequency]
5) Real examples in the last 90 days:
- [Fall date], [injury/near miss]
- [Medication issue date], [outcome]
- [Hazard incident date], [outcome]
6) What happens if I don’t get help:
- [Risk statement: falls, inability to toilet, unsafe, etc.]
CRSC Condition Narrative (One Page Per Condition)
Condition: [VA-rated condition]
VA Rating: [percent], Effective Date: [date]
Combat-Related Category (pick one):
- Armed Conflict / Hazardous Duty / Instrumentality of War / Simulated War
Short story (5–10 sentences):
- What happened, where, when, on what duty/training
- What immediate injury/event occurred
- Why it fits the category above
Key Exhibits:
A) VA Rating Decision + Code Sheet
B) [Orders / incident report / line-of-duty / training records]
C) [Medical record linking injury/event to diagnosis]
D) [Awards / evaluations / witness statements if applicable]