SMC, Aid & Attendance, and Caregiver Program Education
General education for veterans, caregivers, and families seeking to understand specialized VA programs, official resources, and sources of accredited assistance.
SPECIAL MONTHLY COMPENSATION EDUCATION
Field Grade Advisory Group provides plain-language education about Special Monthly Compensation, Aid & Attendance, VA caregiver programs, and related healthcare-support resources.
Under the day-to-day operational leadership of Brooke Hossfeld, MPH, CIC, MLS(ASCP)CM, our operating team helps families understand publicly available program information and prepare questions for VA personnel, healthcare professionals, and VA-accredited representatives.
We do not determine individual eligibility, recommend a benefit or compensation level, review evidence for a claim, or prepare applications and appeals.
- Special Monthly Compensation, commonly called SMC, is an additional VA disability benefit associated with certain circumstances and support needs.
- Our educational sessions may explain:
- • The general purpose of SMC
• Common SMC terminology
• The existence of different SMC categories and levels
• The roles of medical professionals, VA personnel, and accredited representatives
• Official VA resources containing program information
• Questions to discuss with a VA-accredited representative
We do not assess whether a veteran qualifies for SMC or identify which SMC level may apply.
AID & ATTENDANCE EDUCATION
General information for veterans, surviving spouses, caregivers, and families seeking to understand publicly available Aid & Attendance resources.
Field Grade Advisory Group provides plain-language education about Special Monthly Compensation, Aid & Attendance, VA caregiver programs, and related healthcare-support resources.
Under the day-to-day operational leadership of Brooke Hossfeld, MPH, CIC, MLS(ASCP)CM, our operating team helps families understand publicly available program information and prepare questions for VA personnel, healthcare professionals, and VA-accredited representatives.
We do not determine individual eligibility, recommend a benefit or compensation level, review evidence for a claim, or prepare applications and appeals.
CAREGIVER PROGRAM EDUCATION
General information for caregivers and families seeking to understand publicly available VA caregiver-support resources.
- Caregiver programs can involve healthcare, training, support services, administrative requirements, and—in some programs—eligibility determinations.
- Our educational sessions may explain:
• The general purpose of VA caregiver-support programs
• Publicly available information about the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
• Common program terminology
• General caregiver healthcare and organizational resources
• Questions to ask VA caregiver-support personnel
• Sources of assistance when an application or appeal is involved
We do not determine program eligibility, recommend a stipend level, prepare caregiver statements, or assist with an application, reassessment, or appeal.
TOPICS WE CAN EXPLAIN
CAREGIVER AND LONG-TERM SUPPORT PLANNING
General educational sessions may cover:
• The general purposes of SMC, Aid & Attendance, housebound benefits, and caregiver programs
• Common terminology appearing in publicly available VA materials
• The different roles of VA healthcare and VA benefits programs
• Where to locate official VA publications, directories, and program information
• The roles of VA-accredited VSO representatives, claims agents, and attorneys
• Questions to consider when speaking with VA personnel
• Questions to discuss with a healthcare professional
• General caregiver, healthcare-organization, and long-term planning considerations
Information is provided at a general educational level. We do not apply program standards or rating criteria to an individual’s medical history, disabilities, care needs, or circumstances.
Caregiver Alignment
Separate from VA claim assistance, Field Grade Advisory Group may help families with general healthcare and caregiver organization.
This may include:
• Organizing appointment and provider information
• Creating medication and contact lists
• Discussing family and caregiver responsibilities
• Preparing general questions for healthcare professionals
• Identifying publicly available caregiver-support resources
• Organizing healthcare records for personal use
• Considering future healthcare, accessibility, and family-support needs
These services are for healthcare organization and personal planning. They do not include benefit eligibility determinations, clinical assessments, claim preparation, or appeals assistance.
HOW AN EDUCATIONAL SESSION WORKS
PHASE 01
PHASE 02
PHASE 03
PHASE 04
1. Select a General Topic
Tell us which program or general subject you want to understand. Please do not submit claim evidence, rating decisions, DBQs, appeal documents, or detailed claim materials for this educational session.
2. Attend the Educational Session
Our operating team explains publicly available program information and terminology in plain language.
3. Receive Official Resources
You may receive links to official VA publications, program pages, directories, and general educational resources.
4. Consult the Appropriate Professional
Questions concerning individual eligibility, medical requirements, application preparation, evidence, compensation levels, decisions, effective dates, or appeals will be referred to VA personnel, a licensed healthcare professional, or a VA-accredited representative.
LEARN ABOUT SPECIALIZED SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Schedule a General Education Session
SERVICE BOUNDARIES
Field Grade Advisory Group does not:
• Determine eligibility for SMC, Aid & Attendance, or caregiver benefits
• Recommend an SMC level, disability rating, or stipend tier
• Apply VA rating or eligibility criteria to an individual
• Evaluate activities of daily living for a benefit application
• Review medical or lay evidence for a VA claim
• Identify service connection or secondary conditions
• Recommend evidence needed to obtain or increase a benefit
• Develop claim or appeal strategies
• Prepare DBQs, physician forms, caregiver statements, or lay statements
• Review effective dates or calculate potential back pay
• Prepare Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, or Board appeals
• Prepare, present, or prosecute VA benefits claims
• Provide medical opinions, medical treatment, or legal representation
• Guarantee eligibility, compensation, benefits, or other outcomes
If you want a clearer general understanding of SMC, Aid & Attendance, caregiver resources, or long-term support options, schedule a general educational session with the Field Grade Advisory Group operating team.
For advice about a particular application, claim, rating decision, compensation level, or appeal, contact a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization representative, claims agent, or attorney.
INDEPENDENCE AND ACCREDITATION NOTICE
Field Grade Advisory Group is an independent, veteran-focused healthcare consulting and educational firm led and managed by Brooke Hossfeld. The firm is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Field Grade Advisory Group is not a VA-accredited representative and does not prepare, present, or prosecute claims for VA benefits. Our services do not constitute legal representation, medical treatment, medical advice, eligibility determinations, or claim-specific advice.
We do not guarantee program eligibility, benefit levels, compensation, ratings, or other outcomes.