Combat Related Special Compensation
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) provides military retirees a monthly compensation that replaces their VA disability offset. This means that qualified military retirees with 20 or more years of service that have "combat related" VA-rated disability will no longer have their military retirement pay reduced by the amount of their VA disability compensation. Instead they will receive both their full military retirement pay and their VA disability compensation.
The following is a summary of Combat-Related Special Compensation:
Unlike Concurent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP), CRSC will not be phased in over ten years. Once a military retiree has been determined to be qualified they will receive their regular retirement pay plus an additional sum based on their VA disability rating.
The following CRSC eligibility requirements apply:
1. Active, Reserve or medically retired with 20 years of creditable service
2. Receiving military retired pay
3. Have 10% or greater VA rated injury
4. Military retired pay is reduced by VA disability payments (VA Waiver)
You must be able to provide documentary evidence that your injury was a result of one of the following:
- Training that simulates war (e.g., exercises, field training)
- Hazardous duty (e.g., flight, diving, parachute duty)
- An instrumentality of war (e.g., combat vehicles, weapons, Agent Orange)
- Armed conflict (e.g., gun shot wounds [Purple Heart], punji stick injuries)
Further Explanation:
Training that Simulates War.
In the performance of duty under conditions Simulating War (exercises, field training) In general, this covers disabilities resulting from military training, such as war games, practice alerts, tactical exercises, airborne operations, leadership reaction courses, grenade and live fire weapons practice, bayonet training, hand-to-hand combat training, rappelling and negotiation of combat confidence and obstacle courses. It does not include physical training activities such as calisthenics and jogging or formation running and supervised sport activities.
Hazardous Duty.
While engaged in Hazardous Service(e.g., flight, diving, parachute duty). Such service includes, but is not limited to, aerial flight, parachute duty, demolition duty, experimental stress duty, and diving duty. A finding that a disability is the result of such hazardous service requires that the injury or disease be the direct result of actions taken in the performance of such service. Travel to and from such service, or actions incidental to a normal duty status not considered hazardous are not included.
An Instrumentality of War.
Through an Instrumentality of War (combat vehicles, weapons, Agent Orange, etc.)
Incurrence
during actual period of war is not required. However, there must be a
direct causal relationship between instrumentality of war and
disability. The disability must be incurred incident to a hazard or
risk of the service.
An instrumentality of war is a vehicle,
vessel, or device designated primarily for Military Service and
intended for use in such Service at the time of the occurrence or
injury. It may include such instrumentalities not designated primarily
for Military Service if use of, or occurrence involving, such
instrumentality subjects the individual to a hazard peculiar to
Military Service. Such use or occurrence differs from the use or
occurrence under similar circumstances in civilian pursuits.
A determination that a disability is the result of an instrumentality of war may be made if the disability was incurred in any period of service as a result of such diverse causes as wounds caused by a military weapon, accidents involving military combat vehicle, injury or sickness caused by fumes, gases, or explosion or military ordinance, vehicles, or material.
Armed Conlflict
As direct result of Armed Conflict. The disability is a disease or injury incurred in the line of duty as a direct result of armed conflict. The fact that a member incurred the disability during a period of war or an area of armed conflict or while participating in combat operations is not sufficient to support a combat-related determination. There must be a definite causal relationship between the armed conflict and the resulting disability.
Armed Conflict includes war, expedition, occupation of an area or territory, battle, skirmish, raid, invasion, rebellion, insurrection, guerrilla action, riot or any other action in which service members are engaged with a hostile or belligerent nation, faction, force, or terrorists.
Armed Conflict may also include such situations as incidents involving a member while interned as a prisoner of war, or while detained against his or her will in custody of a hostile or belligerent force, or while escaping or attempting to escape from such confinement, prisoner of war, or detained status.
The Value of the CRSC Benefit:
The following table shows a sampling of how much extra you may get each month based on your VA disability rating. (note: these rates are for example purposes only)
|
Combat related VA Disability Rating |
Monthly CRSC |
|
100% |
$2,471 |
|
90% |
$1,483 |
|
80% |
$1,319 |
|
70% |
$1,135 |
|
60% |
$901 |
|
50% |
$712 |
|
40% |
$501 |
|
30% |
$348 |
|
20% |
$225 |
|
10% |
$115 |
The CRSC Application Process:
To receive Combat Related Special Compensation you must submit your application (DD form 2860), through your parent military service branch. Each service branch has the authority to determine your eligibility.
Veterans who retired from a branch of service can submit their claim to that branch using the contact information below:
AIR FORCE
United States Air Force
Disability Division (CRSC)
550 C Street West Ste 6
Randolph AFB TX 78150-4708
Phone: 1-800-616-3775
Website: www.afpc.randolph.af.mil
ARMY
Department of the Army
U.S. Army Physical Disabilities Agency/
Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332
Phone: 1-866-281-3254
Email: crsc.info@us.army.mil
Website: www.CRSC.army.mil
COAST GUARD
Commander (adm-1-CRSC)
U.S. Coast Guard
Personnel Command
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22203-1804
1-800-772-8274
Website: www.uscg.mil/hq/cgpc/adm/adm1.htm
NAVY and MARINE CORPS
Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards
Attn: Combat-Related Special Compensation Branch
720 Kennon Street SE, Suite 309
Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374
Fax: 202-685-6882
Website: www.donhq.navy.mil/corb/crscmainpage.htm