You are correct that you appear to meet the criteria for Statutory Housebound benefits (SMC-S) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and 38 CFR 3.350(i), which requires either a single 100% rating plus separate additional disabilities that combine to 60% or more, precisely as you describe. The VA’s failure to address this in your decision letter is a clear error, likely stemming from a misapplication of the pyramiding rule in 38 CFR § 4.14, where the rater may have incorrectly combined your conditions. Your next actionable step is to file a supplemental claim (VA Form 20-0995) or a Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996), explicitly requesting the award of SMC-S effective from the date you first met the criteria. In your statement, cite the specific regulation (38 CFR 3.350(i)) and clearly list your single 100% rating and your separate 60% combination (20+20+20+20+10), emphasizing that these additional ratings are independent of the condition warranting the 100% rating. Reference relevant case law like *Buchanan v. Nicholson*, which holds that SMC-S is warranted when the evidence shows the veteran meets the schedular requirements, and *DeLuca v. Brown*, regarding the duty to maximize benefits. If denied again, consider consulting a VA-accredited attorney or agent for assistance with an appeal to the Board. **Disclaimer: This is educational information for claims assistance and should not be construed as legal or medical advice; for such guidance, please consult a VA-accredited professional.**
Need a deeper analysis?
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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