What is SMC-S (housebound) and who qualifies?
Last verified August 1, 2026 · Reviewed by Esteban Magallon, VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Details
- Statutory housebound: one 100% disability + separate disabilities combining to 60%, with no overlap between them.
- Factual housebound: substantially confined to the dwelling and immediate premises by service-connected disability, reasonably certain to continue.
- TDIU can satisfy the '100%' element only when TDIU is granted based on a single disability.
- SMC-S is often missed by raters and is a common basis for an increase or effective-date argument.
Related
This is general educational information about VA claims — not legal or medical advice. Individual outcomes depend on the record. Oakridge Claims is a private VA-Accredited Claims Agent practice and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.