Physical Evaluation Board Forum

<salutes to all>

Hi everyone...I have been to the CRSC site and other info sites but the more I read, the more I become confused. I bow to anyone with the ability to make much sense of it. Can you help?

Any and all help will be much appreciated. I am hoping to get some answers from anyone who has had experience with the CRSC application process.

First a little background:

I am the wife of a wounded vet. He is currently receiving VA benefits and Social Security for his 100% disability rating. He was wounded 13 Nov 2004 as a result of a gunshot wound to the head in Iraq.

He was officially retired with 14.5 years (for pay) on 22 Dec 2007. He is a TDRL recipient.

The VA has rated him based on the following:
70% PTSD; TBI congitive disorder and major depressive disorder
50% loss of left eye; gunshot wound
50% facial scarring from gunshot wound
10% degenerative joint disease; right shoulder
10% degenerative joint disease and scoliosis; lumbar spine (injury from bad jump)
10% tinnitus
10% migraine headaches (gunshot wound)

There are four other non-rated injuries also listed including hearing loss.

Anyway, the Army rated him 100% and his payments come from the VA for 100% disability.

By my account, it appears he qualifies for CRSC as a TDRL recipient. It also appears that he would be entitled to back pay on CRSC to the date of his retirement from the Army in December '07 or would it be from the date of his injuries?

Or am I mistaken?

Once I verify this info, I would like to pose a few more questions. Thanks!

__________________
Torrey
Wife of SSG Shannon, USA (ret)

Torrey,

Welcome! Yes, he is CRSC eligible. He needs to apply through the Army. Do you have the form? If not, you can find it here: https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/crsc/d.../ClaimForm.pdf . Eligibility can only come from the date of entitlement to his eligibility for benefits from the Army and the VA. He should get it retroactive.

Please let us know any questions.

__________________
Jason

Physical Evaluation Board Forum Administrator
New Members- Read OVERVIEW OF MEB/PEB PROCESS

I would think that he is eligible for the AW2 program. You can give them a call and see if he is. Hope this helps.

Who is eligible for the AW2 program?
To be considered an AW2 Soldier, a Soldier must:

• Suffer from injuries or illnesses incurred after 10 September 2001, in support of the Global War on Terror (GWOT)
• Receive or be expected to receive a 30% rating for one or more injuries rated by the Physical Disability Evaluation System in categories such as:
  • Loss of Vision/Blindness
  • Loss of Limb
  • Spinal Cord Injury/Paralysis
  • Permanent Disfigurement
  • Severe Burns
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Fatal/Incurable Disease

For more information, please contact us at 1-800-237-1336

Jason,

Bless you so VERY much. Your time, consideration and effort here is greatly appreciated!

I have the form already filled out (for the most part) but I am looking for the supporting documentation to go with it. Once I have everything showing a causal connection, I will proceed. In the meantime, I am making sure I am not jumping the gun with misinformation.

Okay with that out of the way, I now have a few more questions.

The rating letter from the VA states that the original award start date is Jan 1, 2008. Is this the date that the CRSC will be paid from?

Secondly, from what I see on the CRSC payment schedule, his payment of 100% is over $2,500 per month. Is this paid on top of what he already receives from the VA and Social Security?

Thanks!

__________________
Torrey
Wife of SSG Shannon, USA (ret)

Rikers, thanks so much for looking out for us.

I recently got connected with AW2 in our area. They had lost us when he was released from Walter Reed, so we've made some connections with the local AW2 rep. She encouraged us to get the CRSC paperwork in but couldn't really expand more on the subject. I had brought the subject of CRSC up a few months ago to her when we first got in touch, but she said to hold off on the application until June. I am now overdue on getting it out.

I guess I like knowing in advance what to expect. Any help is greatly appreciated!

__________________
Torrey
Wife of SSG Shannon, USA (ret)

No problem DragonFly757,

But keep in mind that if your husband is in the AW2 program, then they are there to work with you and your husband and for you and your husband. If an AW2 advocate that you are working with tells you that you need to run a round and get this and that, then call the 1-800-237-1336 telephone number. Thats there job and there responsibility. Any resistance, call the 1-800-237-1336 telephone number and let them know what problems you are having with your AW2 advocate. Just remember, they work for you and your husband. Hope this helps.

This is the AW2 Mission statement:

The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program assists and advocates for wounded Soldiers and their Families throughout their lifetimes, wherever they are located.

Initially established in April, 2004 as the Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3), the Army responded to the needs of the most severely wounded, injured or ill Soldiers who were returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Today, AW2 serves more than 2,300 Soldiers and their Families, focusing on the most severely injured Soldiers and their Families. The Army Wounded Warrior Program frequently communicates with Soldiers and their Families to pro-actively address and mitigate issues they encounter.

AW2 Advocates
AW2 Advocates are located throughout the country at major Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and VA Medical Centers (VAMC) providing on the ground support to Soldiers and their Families from the time they arrive. AW2 Advocates are:

• Career and Education Guides
• Benefit Advisors
• Military Transition Specialists
• Local Resource Experts
• Family Assistants
• Life Coaches

CRSC telephone number.
1-866-281-3254
CRSC Service Center: M-F 0800-1900 hours EST E-mail your questions about the CRSC Program to crsc.info@us.army.mil

Rikers,

The rep calls or checks up about once or twice a month. She usually sends me an email with links to resources where I can get further information for things we are in need of (ie tuition assistance for spouses, etc.). From there, I run with the info she gives me.

They lost us for a good while. Seems that we keep getting lost in every system along the way! Argh!

__________________
Torrey
Wife of SSG Shannon, USA (ret)

DragonFly757,

Thats good. But if you ever have get a hicoup let the AW2 head office know. Good luck.

Thanks Rikers! You are doing good things passing along the info to others. Keep up the great work! It's helpful for everyone to know what programs are available and how they work. You gave excellent advice and info.

__________________
Torrey
Wife of SSG Shannon, USA (ret)

Just a gentle bump to the previous questions...thanks!

__________________
Torrey
Wife of SSG Shannon, USA (ret)