CRSC Clarification

Good afternoon,

I am currently going through a MEB, and just received my VA ratings (100 P&T) and 199 (50% DOD). I was not coded for combat, but received a rating for PTSD. On August 1st I will have exactly 17 years of active service.

1. Am I able to apply for CRSC? What are the typical documents needed to prove it. I don't have an action badge or purple heart.

2. If I am, when do I apply? Can I start now, or do I have to wait until I am on the retired list?

Thank you so much for your help!

Going through almost your exact situation. I submitted my CRSC when I received discharged orders. I submitted all VA exams, ratings and diagnois pertaining to my PTSD. Also submitted my DA 199 and discharge orders stating combat related. That submission was kicked back and placed on hold and asked for proof of the VA offset. Once I had that proof I resubmitted which you can get from mypay. It was denied, as like you no direct combat (no awards or badges) but my VA and all other paperwork states combat related. In this recent denial it asks for more proof such as sworn statements from my 1SG or Commander at the time in theater. Both of which i got today as I'm still in contact with them. Going over everything with a fine tooth comb now and will resubmit when I feel confident I have provided them what they are asking for.

CRSC.

A collection of CRSC information is available at THIS LINK <----

You must be in a retired status and in receipt of VA compensation to meet some of the requirements for CRSC. Your retired pay must be reduced by the amount of VA compensation received. CRSC replaces some or all of waived (lost) retired pay. Other criteria is listed below.

From DFAS:

Eligibility
To qualify for CRSC you must:

• be entitled to and/or receiving military retired pay
• be rated at least 10 percent by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA)
• waive your VA pay from your retired pay
• file a CRSC application with your Branch of Service

Disabilities that may be considered combat related include injuries incurred as a direct result of:

• Armed Conflict
• Hazardous Duty
• An Instrumentality of War
• Simulated War

Ron

I'm still many months into my MEB/PEB. I had all of my ratings from VA prior to ever being sent to the board, and that was in November. Apparently my "revised" ratings were sent from VA to PEB a week ago. Something to do with the arm. Rated 30% cervical with 40% radiculopathy in the right arm. Who knows what they'll mess with next. In all of my ratings from VA, the only two that are actually designated "combat related" are PTSD and Tinnitus. Pretty sure CRSC is going to be a fight. I do have a CAB and the 4187 that was submitted way back when it was awarded. Just have to see.

Old Top,

Re: "In all of my ratings from VA, the only two that are actually designated 'combat related' are PTSD and Tinnitus. "

Upon receipt of a CRSC application, the Department (e.g., Army, Navy, USAF, USCG) will record for each disability determined to be combat-related which of the circumstances provided qualifies the disability as combat-related. A determination of combat relatedness will be made with respect to each separate disability with an assigned medical diagnosis code from the VASRD. A retiree may have disabilities that are not combat-related. Such disabilities will not be considered in determining eligibility for CRSC or the amount of CRSC payable. An uncorroborated statement in a record that a disability is combat related will not, by itself, be considered determinative for purposes of meeting the combat-related standards for CRSC prescribed herein. CRSC determinations must be made on the basis of the program criteria.

CRSC payments will generally be equal to the amount of VA disability compensation that has been determined to be combat-related. There are certain ceilings/limitations that pertain to Chapter 61 disability retirees. Often, their CRSC will be the dollar amount of the longevity portion of their retired pay.

Essentially, with the exception of reserve component members injured while not in a duty status, all military retirees who have been awarded a Purple Heart or have combat-related disabilities compensable by the VA are eligible for CRSC.

Note: Determination that a disability is a Purple Heart Disability requires documentary information that there is a sufficient causal relationship between the disability and injury for which a Purple Heart was awarded to conclude that the disability is attributable to such injury. Such a disability will be classified as a Purple Heart Disability and will also be included in any other CRSC determinations based on combat-related disabilities.

Award of the Purple Heart is not a requirement for CRSC.

Most of the information shown above was taken from DoD 7000.14-R Financial Management Regulation Volume 7B, Chapter 63.

Ron