U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs
Combat Related Special Compensation
HomeNDCOnline CoursesASVAB PracticeUSAF PDG TestsUSVCP StoreDischarge CertificatesVeteran Directory2016 Comp RatesSMC RatesEmergency Data CardVeteran ID CardLuggage ID CardDisabilitiesBusiness DirectoryVerify ServiceBenefits NewsComp QuestionsCompensation NewsHow to WinVet CentersVSO DatabaseVA Regional OfficesState BenefitsSVC CompensationCompensation FAQsAgent OrangePsych CompMST CompensationRare CompensationLocate War BuddyMedical RecordsStressor LettersFormsBrochuresFREE GuidesVideosPress ReleasesContact UsMembershipUpcoming EventsDiscountBizArchive RecordsHomeless AlertSubmit ArticleVSO of the YearClassifiedsAbout USVCP

MANY VETS MAY BE MISSING OUT ON SPECIAL COMPENSATION 


This article was submitted on behalf of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard by Rick Castro, Combat Related Special Compensation Program Manager, HQ Air Force Personnel Center.  Please keep in mind that only those veterans who can answer ‘yes’ to all four of the questions in this article may qualify for this program.


Just because a veteran was not injured in combat does not mean he or she may not be entitled to receive Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).  Many veterans may be missing out on hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars every month because they have not applied for the compensation.  Don’t let the term combat throw you; there are many circumstances which are combat related that could justify approval of extra tax-free money for you.


CRSC is designed to restore military retirement pay that has been offset by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation when evidence exists to confirm the associated disabilities are combat related.  For example, if a veteran is currently rated for disability of 10 percent with the VA, he or she receives a check from the VA for $115 each month, but his or her retired pay is reduced by the same amount.  If the disability is found to be combat-related by the CRSC review board, he or she would continue to receive the monthly check from the VA for $115 along with the remainder of the retired pay, but begin to receive an additional monthly check from the CRSC for $115.

Many disabilities that resulted from conditions during peacetime may meet the criteria for CRSC.  Some examples are an aircraft mechanic who works on the flight line and begins to lose his hearing while in-service; a personnel technician who dives for cover during a simulated air raid and injures her shoulder; and a special forces journeyman who makes a peacetime parachute jump and breaks his ankle upon landing.

If you’re not sure the circumstances surrounding your disability meet the combat-related criteria, it would be beneficial for you to apply for CRSC and let the board make a determination for you.  There are a few prerequisites to consider before submitting a CRSC application.  To meet the basic eligibility criteria to be considered for CRSC, veterans must:

 

  • Be retired with 20 (or more) years of active-duty military service, or retired at age 60 from the Guard or Reserve and
  • Be receiving military retired pay and
  • Have a compensable VA disability rating of 10 percent or higher and
  • Receive military retired pay that is reduced by VA disability payments.

 


NOTE:  Veterans who waived military retirement pay for Civil Service credit are not eligible to apply for CRSC.


Copies of the Claim for Combat-Related Special Compensation, DD Form 2860, and more information on the program can be obtained from the following websites:


DoD Defenselink

www.dod.gov/prhome/mppcrsc.html


AIR FORCE

HQ Air Force Personnel Center

Ask.afpc.ramdolph.af.mil

1.800.616.3775 toll-free (Select option 5, then option 1)

or 210.565.1600


ARMY

Army Human Resources Command

www.hrc.crsc.army.mil/site/crsc/

1.866.281.3254 toll-free


[ Compensation News ]

Copyright 2007-2016. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs.

DISCLAIMER:  Information displayed on U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs (veteranprograms.com), and any of their associated websites is for general informational purposes only, and is not legal advice. Nothing contained herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of a competent Veteran Service Officer (VSO) in good standing and licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. Posts and surveys made on this website are opinions or suggestions of users of this website and are not representations, opinions or suggestions of U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs. We make no endorsements or recommendations of any VSO, attorney, law firm, claims specialists or organization working with veterans on their service-connected claim(s).  U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs (veteranprograms.com) does NOT represent or warrant, and makes no claims, promises or guarantees about, the usefulness, completeness, adequacy or accuracy of any information, posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses contained in or linked to this website, or the competency, qualifications or identity of any person providing information or making a post, survey, topic, comment, blog or response contained in or linked to this website. U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs (veteranprograms.com) assumes NO liability, and expressly disclaims any and all responsibility, for the content of all posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses. U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs (veteranprograms.com) does not monitor, pre-screen or moderate posts, surveys, topics, comments, blogs or responses.  In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the written material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for educational purposes.

Terms of Use