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Commonly Asked Questions
on
Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)?
Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)?
Question: Who is eligible
for this benefit?
Answer: To receive this benefit the following criteria (as stated in the DoD
Answer: To receive this benefit the following criteria (as stated in the DoD
Appropriation Bill) must
be met by the retiree:
1. have
completed at least 20 years of service in the uniformed services that
are creditable for purposes of computing the amount of retired pay to
which the member is entitled;
and
2. has
a qualifying combat-related disability.
3. A
qualifying combat-related disability means either of the following:
a. A disability that -
(1) is attributable to an injury for which the member was awarded the Purple Heart; and
(2) is rated as not less than 10 percent disabling –
(a) by the Secretary concerned as of the date on which the member is retired from the uniformed services under criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Defense; or
(b) by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
b. A service- connected disability that was incurred (as determined under criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Defense) -
(1) as a direct result of armed conflict;
(2) while engaged in hazardous service;
(3) in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or
(4) through an instrumentality of war; and
1. is rated as not less than 60 percent disabling -
(a) by the Secretary concerned, as of the date on which the member is retired from the uniformed services under criteria prescribed by the
a. A disability that -
(1) is attributable to an injury for which the member was awarded the Purple Heart; and
(2) is rated as not less than 10 percent disabling –
(a) by the Secretary concerned as of the date on which the member is retired from the uniformed services under criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Defense; or
(b) by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
b. A service- connected disability that was incurred (as determined under criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Defense) -
(1) as a direct result of armed conflict;
(2) while engaged in hazardous service;
(3) in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or
(4) through an instrumentality of war; and
1. is rated as not less than 60 percent disabling -
(a) by the Secretary concerned, as of the date on which the member is retired from the uniformed services under criteria prescribed by the
Secretary of Defense; or
(b) by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Question: Who determines eligibility for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)?
Answer: Department of Defense (DoD) has sole responsibility for determining an individual's entitlement to this program.
Question: Will a retiree have to apply for CRSC?
Answer: Yes. DoD is currently developing an application that must be submitted (probably with supporting documentation).
Question: Does a retiree have to be in receipt of VA disability compensation to get CRSC?
Answer: Yes
Question: Where can a retiree get the application?
Answer: DoD is developing the application to be available no later than May 2003.
Question: When can a retiree expect to receive this new benefit?
Answer: The program does not begin until June 2003.
Question: Will new retiree applicants for compensation still have to waive retired pay to receive VA disability compensation?
Answer: Yes, this law does not affect current procedures. CRSC is not retired pay and must be applied for directly to DoD.
Question: Will there be other requirements to be eligible for this benefit?
Answer: DoD is responsible for developing the rules associated with this program. DoD has not finalized those rules.
Question: Is there a website or a phone number I can call to get more information?
Answer: DoD is developing a communication plan for retirees. Thus far a website with information or an 800 number have not been promulgated.
Question: Will the retiree have to provide specific information with his/her application?
Answer: Yes, DoD expects to require retirees to submit copies of correspondence from VA establishing service-connected conditions.
Question: Will CRSC reimburse a retiree for the full amount by which his/her retirement has been reduced?
Answer: Not necessarily. The only reimbursements expected to be made under CRSC will be for conditions that meet the definitions in the law.
(b) by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Question: Who determines eligibility for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)?
Answer: Department of Defense (DoD) has sole responsibility for determining an individual's entitlement to this program.
Question: Will a retiree have to apply for CRSC?
Answer: Yes. DoD is currently developing an application that must be submitted (probably with supporting documentation).
Question: Does a retiree have to be in receipt of VA disability compensation to get CRSC?
Answer: Yes
Question: Where can a retiree get the application?
Answer: DoD is developing the application to be available no later than May 2003.
Question: When can a retiree expect to receive this new benefit?
Answer: The program does not begin until June 2003.
Question: Will new retiree applicants for compensation still have to waive retired pay to receive VA disability compensation?
Answer: Yes, this law does not affect current procedures. CRSC is not retired pay and must be applied for directly to DoD.
Question: Will there be other requirements to be eligible for this benefit?
Answer: DoD is responsible for developing the rules associated with this program. DoD has not finalized those rules.
Question: Is there a website or a phone number I can call to get more information?
Answer: DoD is developing a communication plan for retirees. Thus far a website with information or an 800 number have not been promulgated.
Question: Will the retiree have to provide specific information with his/her application?
Answer: Yes, DoD expects to require retirees to submit copies of correspondence from VA establishing service-connected conditions.
Question: Will CRSC reimburse a retiree for the full amount by which his/her retirement has been reduced?
Answer: Not necessarily. The only reimbursements expected to be made under CRSC will be for conditions that meet the definitions in the law.
NOTE:
4-17:
The DOD is now constructing, the actual application to apply for CRSC.
After April 21st, they will conduct a test of 100 randomly selected disabled retirees.
The Pentagon will soon have a mailing to about 60,000 potential elegibles,identified by the VA that appear to be candidates for CRSC. All the Service organizations, as well as Tom Philpott's Milupdate will have details on
the application process as well.
When the applications become available on this website in a few weeks, it will be wise to include information describing your disabilities as a direct result of armed conflict; while engaged in hazardous service; in the
performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or through an instrumentality of war. The DOD has described the process as like a US Tax Form 1040, and they are tailoring their reviews to a fill in the blank
process.
The DOD leadership wants this program to go smoothly without a lot of squawks, so it has the full potential of being good news for many disabled retirees. In the interim, we believe problems will emerge with the more
complex applications, and the inability of the services to process them within a reasonable time.
Over the next few years, we expect DOD to disburse about one billion dollars in claims under the CRSC program, but don't expect the payments to begin at
the June 2003 effective date. Take your time with the applications, and get it right the first time, for many this compensation can be a life changing event and we'll be here to make sure you get the best "no spin" facts
available. It will require patience, because there will be delays, but approved claims will be paid with a June effective date! (Posted April 10, 2002)
[Source: http://www.crlegislation.com/]
After April 21st, they will conduct a test of 100 randomly selected disabled retirees.
The Pentagon will soon have a mailing to about 60,000 potential elegibles,identified by the VA that appear to be candidates for CRSC. All the Service organizations, as well as Tom Philpott's Milupdate will have details on
the application process as well.
When the applications become available on this website in a few weeks, it will be wise to include information describing your disabilities as a direct result of armed conflict; while engaged in hazardous service; in the
performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or through an instrumentality of war. The DOD has described the process as like a US Tax Form 1040, and they are tailoring their reviews to a fill in the blank
process.
The DOD leadership wants this program to go smoothly without a lot of squawks, so it has the full potential of being good news for many disabled retirees. In the interim, we believe problems will emerge with the more
complex applications, and the inability of the services to process them within a reasonable time.
Over the next few years, we expect DOD to disburse about one billion dollars in claims under the CRSC program, but don't expect the payments to begin at
the June 2003 effective date. Take your time with the applications, and get it right the first time, for many this compensation can be a life changing event and we'll be here to make sure you get the best "no spin" facts
available. It will require patience, because there will be delays, but approved claims will be paid with a June effective date! (Posted April 10, 2002)
[Source: http://www.crlegislation.com/]
[ Source: http://www.vfwdc.org/nls/CRFAQ.htm
]