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Combat-Related Special Compensation

Simply put 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:

 

Expanded CRSC Coverage

The 2004 National Defense Authorization Act, Combat Related Special Compensation was expanded to include disabilities incurred as a direct result of:

  • Armed Conflict
  • Hazardous Duty
  • Conditions Simulating War
  • An Instrumentality of War

Unlike concurrent receipt, 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.

Note: CRSC is relatively new legislation, and was recently revised. Many of the policies and procedures are left to the discretion of the parent military branch, and are subject to change in the coming months.

Combat-Related Special Compensation Eligibility

With the inception of the CRSC program on June 1, 2003, the following eligibility requirements were established:

  • Retirees had to apply to their respective branch of service to be approved for CRSC.
  • Retirees had to be in receipt of VA compensation.
  • Retirees had to be in receipt of military retired pay or be in a suspended pay status due to receipt of VA compensation.
  • Retirees had to have an approved combat-related VA disability rating of 60% or greater.
  • Retirees having an approved combat-related disability associated with a Purple Heart had to have a rating of 10% or greater.
  • Retirees had to have 20 years of active service or, for reservists, 7,200 reserve points in order to be eligible.

Effective January 1, 2004, CRSC eligibility was extended to retirees with combat-related VA disability ratings between 10% and 50%.

Additionally, reservists needed only 20 years of qualifying service (supported by documentation from the applicable branch of service such as a 20-year letter, retirement orders or a statement of service) in order to be eligible.

Please note that qualified reservists will not receive CRSC until they begin to receive retired pay at age 60.

Temporary Early Retirement Authorization (TERA) retirees are not eligible to receive CRSC unless they have returned to active duty and accumulated enough service time to meet the 20-year requirement before retiring for the second time.

Click here for the exact wording of this new law.

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.

Combat related VA Disability Rating
Monthly CRSC
100%
$2,393
90%
$1,436
80%
$1,277
70%
$1,099
60%
$873
50%
$690
40%
$485
30%
$337
20%
$218
10%
$112

 

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.

For more information on how to apply contact your parent military service branch:

  • ARMY:

      Department of the Army
      U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency
      Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
      200 Stovall Street
      Alexandria, Virginia 22332-0470
      Toll-free: (866) 281-3254
      Hours: 8am - 8pm EST
      E-mail your questions to:
      CRSC.info@us.army.mil
      Or visit: http://www.crsc.army.mil

  • NAVY AND MARINE CORPS:
     
      Department of Navy Naval Council of Personnel Boards
      Combat-Related Special Compensation Branch
      720 Kennon Street S.E., Suite 309
      Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5023
      (Toll free 1-877-366-2772)
  • AIR FORCE:
     
      United States Air Force Personnel Center
      Disability Division (CRSC)
      550 C Street West, Suite 6
      Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4708
      (Toll Free 1-866-229-7074)
  • COAST GUARD:
     
      Commanding Officer (RAS)
      U. S. Coast Guard Personnel Service Center
      444 SE Quincy St.
      Topeka, KS 66683-3591
      (toll-free at 1-800-772-8724)

    Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the new Concurrent Receipt and Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) laws.

     

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    Retired Concurrent Receipt Overview

    Concurrent Receipt means to receive both military retirement benefits and VA disability compensation, and up until 2004 this was forbidden by law. To receive a VA disability compensation, disabled military retirees had to waive all or part of their military pay. The following is a summary of Concurrent Receipt:

    Concurrent Receipt Overview

    As of 2004 this law changed so that qualified disabled military retirees will now get paid both their full military retirement pay and their VA disability compensation. This recently passed law phases out (over 9 years) the VA disability offset, which means that military retirees with 20 or more years of service and a 50% (or higher) VA rated disability will no longer have their military retirement pay reduced by the amount of their VA disability compensation.

    Unlike the Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), full concurrent receipt will be phased-in over the coming years (except as noted above). This means that if you qualify you will see your retirement pay increase by approximately ten percent each year until the phase-in is complete in 2014.

    According to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Concurrent Receipt is now officially referred to as 'Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay" (CRDP).

    CRDP Benefits Update

    The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2005 eliminated the 9 year phase in for full concurrent receipt payments to eligible retirees rated at 100% disabled by the VA, as of January 1, 2005.

    Concurrent Receipt Eligibility

    To qualify for concurrent receipt you must:

    • Be a Military Retiree with 20 or more years of service, including:
      • Chapter 61 Medical Retirees with 20 years or more.
      • National Guard and Reserve with 20 or more good years.
      • Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) Retirees may also be eligible.
    • Have a Service Related VA disability rating of 50% or higher.

    Click here for the exact wording of this new law.

     

    The Value of the CRDP Benefit:

    In January of 2004 "qualified retiree's" started recieving the monthly retirement increase. The following table is a sampling of approximately how much extra you may get each month over the next 2 years and the final full concurrent pay for 2014, based on your VA disability rating.

    VA Rating
    2006*
    2007*
    2014*
    100%
    $2,393
    $2,393
    $2,393
    90%
    $781
    $905
    $1,317
    80%
    $621
    $757
    $1,436
    70%
    $494
    $626
    $1,277
    60%
    $336
    $460
    $1099
    50%
    $266
    $364
    $954

    *Note 1: These forecasted amounts are an estimation and do not necessarily reflect the annual cost of living adjustments.

    It is also important to note that the amount you receive cannot exceed the amount of your actual military retirement pay.

    The CRDP Application Process:

    Fortunately Concurrent Receipt is automatic. If you qualify you will automatically see an increase in your monthly retirement check.

    Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the new Concurrent Receipt and Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) laws.