CRSC Questions

armyaviator

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I've been reading over the threads and I feel I have a good grasp on CRSC; however, I do have a couple questions I was unable to find answers for.

What is the approved CRSC % based on? To my understanding you get that when you apply, but how is that percentage calculated? Is it based on the referred condition? I see sometimes it equals the DOD % but other times it does not.

Next, as I'm going through the MEB, I'm wondering when I can apply for CRSC. Seems as if I can only apply once I'm officially out. Does that mean after terminal leave is completed? How long does that process take from start to finish?

Thanks for all your help!
 
I've been reading over the threads and I feel I have a good grasp on CRSC; however, I do have a couple questions I was unable to find answers for.

What is the approved CRSC % based on? To my understanding you get that when you apply, but how is that percentage calculated? Is it based on the referred condition? I see sometimes it equals the DOD % but other times it does not.

Next, as I'm going through the MEB, I'm wondering when I can apply for CRSC. Seems as if I can only apply once I'm officially out. Does that mean after terminal leave is completed? How long does that process take from start to finish?

Thanks for all your help!
Hello @armyaviator ,

1. You must be retired and have VA compensation approved as a minimum at 10%. Your CRSC application will be returned if you are not in a retired status. Plus, your VA award letter and associated documents (received in the mail, NOT from eBenefits) is one of the most important elements of an application.

2. The approved CRSC percentages are based on the VA compensation percentages determined to be combat related. If one has a 70% VA rating, but only a 10% rating for a disability that is combat related, the resulting approval would be 10% .

3. All of the services have explicit instructions pertaining to CRSC. Opinion: The two I think are best are those of the USAF and the Army.
See the following for a collection of CRSC material: A Supplement to CRSC Information <--LINK

4. If you are a chapter 61 retiree, you might not receive the amount associated with the approved CRSC percentage. You could receive less (i.e., the dollar amount of the longevity portion of retired pay). You mentioned you have read through the threads so you have probably seen many situations such as I have described.

Good luck,
Ron
 
Thanks for the quick reply, Ron.

I guess specifically what I was asking for was how does this number get calculated? Is it based on TIS, rated disability?
 
Thanks for the quick reply, Ron.

I guess specifically what I was asking for was how does this number get calculated? Is it based on TIS, rated disability?
Hello @armyaviator ,

As I mentioned previously, the CRSC for a CH 61 might end up less than the amount for the approved CRSC percentages. The CRSC amounts for the approved disabilities are found in the VA compensation tables. Many receive a lesser amount which would be the dollar amount of the longevity portion of retired pay.
Example of longevity amount:
5 years active duty or active duty equivalent
5 yrs x 2.5% = 12,5% longevity multiplier
Average high three for base pay, example 2000 x 12.5% = 250 dollar amount of the longevity portion of retired pay.

From the Army (and I have never had a need to use this since the CRSC approved percentage is cited in the CRSC approval letter):
Calculating CRSC :


(1) Subtract each disability percent from 100% to obtain the remaining efficiencies


(2) Multiply the remaining efficiencies together


(3) Subtract the result from 100%


(4) Round to the nearest 10%, round up for 5% or above


Example Calculation : Assuming a retired Service member has three disability ratings of 40%, 30% and 20%, using the above formula results in a combined disability of 70%, as follows:


(1) 100%-40%=60%; 100%-30%=70%; and 100%-20%=80%


(2) 60% x 70% x 80% = 34%


(3) 100% - 34% = 66%


(4) 66% rounds up to a 70% combined disability.


Note: Any questions relating to the payment of CRSC claims must be addressed to Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) who is the pay authority for CRSC.


Special rules regarding chapter 61 Retirees : Disability Retirees (even those with less than twenty years of service) are eligible for CRSC but the rate of payment must be reduced by the difference between retired pay based upon disability and retired pay for years of service.

Reference: Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) <--LINK

Ron
 
Hello @armyaviator ,

As I mentioned previously, the CRSC for a CH 61 might end up less than the amount for the approved CRSC percentages. The CRSC amounts for the approved disabilities are found in the VA compensation tables. Many receive a lesser amount which would be the dollar amount of the longevity portion of retired pay.
Example of longevity amount:
5 years active duty or active duty equivalent
5 yrs x 2.5% = 12,5% longevity multiplier
Average high three for base pay, example 2000 x 12.5% = 250 dollar amount of the longevity portion of retired pay.

From the Army (and I have never had a need to use this since the CRSC approved percentage is cited in the CRSC approval letter):
Calculating CRSC :


(1) Subtract each disability percent from 100% to obtain the remaining efficiencies


(2) Multiply the remaining efficiencies together


(3) Subtract the result from 100%


(4) Round to the nearest 10%, round up for 5% or above


Example Calculation : Assuming a retired Service member has three disability ratings of 40%, 30% and 20%, using the above formula results in a combined disability of 70%, as follows:


(1) 100%-40%=60%; 100%-30%=70%; and 100%-20%=80%


(2) 60% x 70% x 80% = 34%


(3) 100% - 34% = 66%


(4) 66% rounds up to a 70% combined disability.


Note: Any questions relating to the payment of CRSC claims must be addressed to Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) who is the pay authority for CRSC.


Special rules regarding chapter 61 Retirees : Disability Retirees (even those with less than twenty years of service) are eligible for CRSC but the rate of payment must be reduced by the difference between retired pay based upon disability and retired pay for years of service.

Reference: Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) <--LINK

Ron
Awesome, thank you! That is what I was looking for. I'm still in the MEB process and don't have an approved percentage letter, so didn't know what to expect.
 
Hello @armyaviator

Whenever receive your PEB and VA results, we can provide an estimate with your "guess" of what your approved CRSC will be.

Basically, the following is what is needed for someone to compute your CRSC in the PEB forum:
Needed within one reply:
--Average high three for basic pay (total of the highest 36 months of pay divided by 36) As an alternative (and better) cite the gross retired pay on the most recent DFAS RAS. Indicate which you are furnishing.
--DoD disability percentage
--*Active duty years and months (or active duty equivalent for RC members)
--**VA compensation (1) percentage; (2) amount; (3) dependents by category; and ages of dependent children; (4) Also provide information pertaining to any SMCs you receive.
--Projected or approved CRSC percentage by your service.
--Whether you qualify for another type retirement and whether you transitioned to the blended retirement system
--Did you receive a REDUX/CSB payment?

Notes:
* = often incorrect
** = often incomplete

Ron
 
Last edited:
Hello @armyaviator

Whenever receive your PEB and VA results, we can provide an estimate with your "guess" of what your approved CRSC will be.

Basically, the following is what is needed for someone to compute your CRSC in the PEB forum:
Needed within one reply:
--Average high three for basic pay (total of the highest 36 months of pay divided by 36) As an alternative (and better) cite the gross retired pay on the most recent DFAS RAS. Indicate which you are furnishing.
--DoD disability percentage
--*Active duty years and months (or active duty equivalent for RC members)
--**VA compensation (1) percentage; (2) amount; (3) dependents by category; and ages of dependent children; (4) Also provide information pertaining to any SMCs you receive.
--Projected or approved CRSC percentage by your service.
--Whether you qualify for another type retirement and whether you transitioned to the blended retirement system
--Did you receive a REDUX/CSB payment?

Notes:
* = often incorrect
** = often incomplete

Ron
Does the CRSC approval letter come with the PEB or VA results? Or only when you apply?
 
Does the CRSC approval letter come with the PEB or VA results? Or only when you apply?
It is a completely separate process and the application is filed after retirement.

Think of your 2019 tax return. It was not done in conjunction with your military evaluation for that year. This is a poor example, but I am trying to present that the government does not coordinate the submittal of your CRSC application...or I would be greatly surprised if it did.

Many or even most CRSC recipients did not go through a PEB/MEB/IDES etc. I filed for VA compensation years after I retired and CRSC 14 years post-retirement.

DoD retirement documents come from the DoD.
VA compensation documents come from the VA.
After you receive those documents, you can file for CRSC. Your application with supporting documents must be submitted to your service for consolation. Army applications go to Fort Knox, KY. The references I provided to you explain the CRSC process. See the bottom of this post for links to CRSC info.

Upon approval of a CRSC application, the service concerned sends the documentation to DFAS and a copy to the retiree.
DFAS computes the CRSC and it reflected on a CRSC statement created each month by DFAS.

CRSC replaces some or all of waived retired pay for combat related disabilities.
See this link for a history of CRSC: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40589.pdf <---LINK

Ron
 
Think of your 2019 tax return. It was not done in conjunction with your military evaluation for that year. This is a poor example, but I am trying to present that the government does not coordinate the submittal of your CRSC application...or I would be greatly surprised if it did.

Many or even most CRSC recipients did not go through a PEB/MEB/IDES etc. I filed for VA compensation years after I retired and CRSC 14 years post-retirement.
That right there makes sense. Figured I was just leaning a little far forward in the saddle.

Thank you!
 
Top