Questions about filing a CRSC Claim
Claim Processing Questions
Additional Questions
Filing a CRSC Claim:
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for CRSC?
A: To be eligible for CRSC, servicemembers must meet all four of the following eligibility criteria:
- Active, Reserve or medically retired with 20 Years of Military Service *(Chapter 61 medical and TERA retirees with less than 20 years are now eligible.)
- Have 10% or greater VA rated injury
- Receiving military retired pay
- Military retired pay is reduced by VA disability payments (VA Waiver)
*Note: The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 changed the CRSC laws to allow retirees who retired for medical reasons (under chapter 61 of USC 10) with less than 20 years of service to receive CRSC.
For questions on Temporary Early Retirement (TERA) and medically discharged veterans (Chapter 61) - see Additional Questions
Q: What types of documentation should be included with the CRSC claim?
A: Copies, not originals, of the following documents should be sent:
- ALL copies of DD 214/215’s. If you have more than one, be sure to include them all with your application. Be sure to retain a copy for your own records.
- ALL of your VA rating decisions including the VA letters, the actual VA rating decisions and the code sheets. Sometimes the older original rating decisions are the only ones that actually describe how the injury or disability occurred.
- Send any copies of physicals, medical board proceedings and medical records documenting the type of injury or disability and how the injury or disability occurred – such as “left ankle fracture from hard parachute landing fall.”
- Send only those portions of your medical records that verify your injury or disability and how it occurred.
- Do not send all of your in-service or VA medical records.
- Do not send lab slips, EKGs, x-rays, or stress tests.
- Do not send CDs, disks or thumb drives containing records.
Q: Do certificates for military awards such as Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star or other awards for Valor and their orders help to establish injuries as combat-related?
A: Yes. The narratives can help us verify your injuries or show your combat time.
- Awards – send the narrative for any awards that show you were in combat or reference how you were injured. Examples: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star.
- Line of Duty (LOD) Investigations – send LOD results or statements on LODs that relate to your injury/disability.
- Military Police Reports – send Military Police Reports on accidents that relate to your injury/disability.
Q: How can records documenting an injury be obtained?
A: Additional military and medical records can be ordered from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). If VA Documentation is not readily available, you may order your VA records from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA). Include copies only of the relevant documents you have available.
Q: Is there another way to verify how an injury occurred if I cannot locate or obtain records documenting the injury?
A: Yes, the VA or your military primary provider* can prepare a note on letterhead or a consultation sheet documenting how the injury occurred, and this can be accepted as evidence (the primary provider cannot use “history of the soldier”). Provide the following documentation to the VA or your local Military Hospital (MTF):
- Current medical documentation
- Proof of being in the area where/when the injury or illness occurred (i.e. 2-1/2A orders, NCOERS, OERS or anything else to prove assignment)
- Personal statement
- Buddy statement (optional)
The VA or military primary providers* must be willing to provide the letter and do so at their discretion.
Q: Why is documentation not accepted for CRSC allowed by the VA?
A: By law, medical providers* are able to accept documents that are not allowed under CRSC program guidance.
* Primary providers can be nurses, physician assistance, or doctors.
Q: If there is an error in a veteran’s record, how can they correct it?
A: To correct a servicemember’s record they need to complete a DD Form 149 and send it to the appropriate address on the form (branch specific).
Q: Are there organizations to assist veterans with the CRSC claims process?
A: Several organizations have counselors who can assist you with your CRSC claim.
Some organizations that can help you:
Refer to the CRSC Resources section for a complete list of veterans service organizations (VSOs).
Claim Process:
Q: How are veterans notified of their CRSC decision?
A: New Claims: The veteran will receive a letter stating their decision status in the mail an average of 60 days after they submit their claim.
Reconsideration Claims:The veteran will receive a letter stating their decision status in the mail an average of 60 days after they submit their claim.
Q: How do veterans receive their CRSC payments?
A: CRSC payments will be deposited to the same account where you receive your retired pay. DFAS handles all CRSC payments within 60 business days. Contact DFAS with payment questions at: 1-800-472-7098.
Q: Are CRSC payments taxable?
A: Based on current law regarding taxability of disability income, CRSC is not taxable.
Q: Who does a veteran contact if they were approved for CRSC and have not received their payments?
A: Veterans should contact the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) for Questions on their payments at 1-800-472-7098.
Q: Are the VA effective dates the same as the CRSC effective dates?
A: CRSC I was set up to award compensation to anyactive duty retiree with 20 years of active duty service that has either:
- been awarded a Purple Heart of at least 10% or
- been awarded a VA combined rating of at least 60% (which was caused by a Combat-Related Situation)
If you Qualify for CRSC I the earliest date possible for any of your disabilities is the CRSC I program effective date of June 1, 2003.
CRSC II expanded the program to allow CRSC compensation to veterans
- without disabilities linked to a Purple Heart
- active duty retirees with less than 60% CRSC compensation and
- all Reserve Component Retirees who are required to wait until Age 60 to draw their retired pay.
If you qualify for CRSC II the earliest date possible for any of your disabilities is the CRSC II program effective date of January 1, 2004.
Once we determine which program (CRSC I or CRSC II) you may be eligible for then we consider your official retirement date.
If the date you retired is after the applicable program date then we must use the retired date as the earliest date possible for CRSC.
Q: What is the “VA Retro Pay Project” and how does it relate to CRSC and Concurrent Receipt Disability Pay (CRDP)?
A: Currently, veterans who have received concurrent receipt may be eligible for retroactive payments are part of the “VA Retro Pay Project.” Veterans don't need to apply, if they are eligible, they will automatically receive the payment from DFAS. A “VA Retro Award hotline” has been set up to field Questions from CRSC and CRDP recipients who believe they might Qualify. That toll free number is 1-877-327-4457. For more information, visit www.dfas.mil.
Q: If the VA increases the veteran’s rating, do they need to reapply for CRSC based on this new rating?
A: If a servicemember’s injury/illness rating increases for the same VA disability code used to apply for CRSC, DFAS will make the adjustment automatically (allow 60 days for DFAS to process the upgrade).
If VA changes the disability code that was previously awarded (i.e. 7913-Diabetes 10% changes to 8520-Paralysis of a nerve 10%) or if VA adds additional disabilities that CRSC did not previously award, the servicemember must apply for reconsideration (form 12e).
Additional Questions:
Q: Are veterans who were medically discharged (Chapter 61) before they served 20 years eligible for CRSC
A: At this time, Chapter 61 retirees are not eligible for CRSC.
Q: Are Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) retirees eligible for CRSC?
A: Veterans who retired under the provision of section 4403 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Public Law 102-484), October 23, 1992, commonly referred to as the TERA program-- are not generally eligible for CRSC. There are certain exceptions to this rule if the veteran was recalled to active duty status after they retired. For more information, please refer to the CRSC Program Guidance.
Q: Do veterans receive additional money if they have dependents?
A: Yes. The VA will notify DFAS regarding each retiree’s dependency status. [Note: you should notify VA and DFAS of any dependency changes.] DFAS will then notify eligible retirees of any increases to their CRSC rate. Keep in mind, however, that the gross monthly amount of CRSC cannot exceed the gross monthly amount of retired pay (including dependents). For instance, if your current CRSC payment is already equal to your gross monthly amount of retired pay, no additional money is due.
Q: Do veterans with a total VA disability rating based on Individual Unemployability (IU) receive additional funds?
A: Yes, if your rating is between 60-90%. The VA will notify DFAS regarding each retiree’s IU determination. DFAS will then notify eligible retirees of any increases to their CRSC rate.
Note: If your VA Rating is 100%, VA withdraws the IU designation and servicemembers receive only the actual combat-related portion of the VA disability rating.
Keep in mind, however, that the gross monthly amount of CRSC cannot exceed the gross monthly amount of retired pay, regardless of IU determination. For instance, if your current CRSC payment is already equal to your gross monthly amount of retired pay, no additional money is due.
Q: Do veterans receive additional CRSC funds if they are receiving Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) from the VA?
A: Possibly. CRSC evaluates each retiree’s SMC-disabilities and notifies DFAS which are combat-related. DFAS will then notify eligible retirees of any increases to their CRSC rate. The CRSC legislation stipulates that only combat-related disabilities will be considered when re-evaluating retirees’ CRSC rates. The gross monthly amount of CRSC cannot exceed the gross monthly amount of retired pay, regardless of SMC determination. For instance, if your current CRSC payment is already equal to your gross monthly amount of retired pay, no additional money is due.
Q: Are eligibility effective dates for CRSC the same for active duty retirees and reserve retirees?
A: Not usually as reservists do not start their retirement or waiver until they turn 60.
Q: I receive 80% compensation from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) but when I received my CRSC Approval Letter I was only determined to be 40%. Why?
A: Combat-Related Special Compensation is only awarded for disabilities directly related to combat related operations. In order to receive CRSC your disabilities must be the result of activities in one or more of the four categories by law:
- Conditions Simulating War
- Instrumentality of War
- Hazardous Service
- Armed Conflict
If your disabilities were not judged to match the criteria established by law in one or more these four above categories, then your total CRSC compensation would be less than the amount you currently receive from the VA.
Q: Where can I obtain Line of Duty (LOD) documentation?
A: The Servicemember should check with Unit of Command to obtain LOD documentation.
This content was provided by the Department of the Army Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
