- CRSC - COMBAT RELATED SPECIAL COMPENSATION May 14 2014, 0 Comments

CRSC is a law passed by Congress in 2008.  Before CRSC, Veterans could not receive monetary benefits from both the Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs; any money received from the VA is subtracted from the amount given by the DOD.  The logic behind this was money received from the VA is not taxable, while all DOD money is taxable.

CRSC is one exception to this process.  The other is Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) discussed in another section.

CRSC allows a Veteran who qualifies to receive some, if not all, of the DOD money that was subtracted by VA compensation.  In order to qualify a Veteran must meet certain criteria:

  • Receipt of a Purple Heart after 1 June 2003 and an award of at least a 10% rating by the DOD for those disabilities
  • Rated at 60% or higher by the DOD from 1 June 2003 to 31 December 2003
  • Receipt of a minimum 10% rating from the DOD after 1 January 2004 for injuries received in combat

It is important to note that CRSC money is not taxable and it is retroactive!  If you qualified, and have not been receiving CRSC pay, an application can be made to receive all the money you should have received every year since then.

In order for a condition to be considered by the DOD it must have been rated by the VA.  It is important early on in the Military Disability Process to contact an experienced legal team to navigate the complicated system to ensure you receive what you are entitled.  It is vital to submit all the appropriate documents with a CRSC application made by submitting a DD Form 2860.  If you suspect you have a CRSC condition that was not rated by the VA it may be possible to add it later.  This can be done by submitting an appeal to the VA.

If you have already applied to CRSC and have been denied, it is possible to request a reconsideration of the decision.  For the Army this is done by submitting a CRSC Form 12e, the Navy/Marine Corps requires a NCPB Form 1850-7, and the Air Force requires you or your representative to call them at 1-800-525-0102.    Requests for reconsideration are important and require supporting information along with a detailed letter explaining why you believe the decision should be altered in your favor; an experience legal team can help prepare the best case possible to present to the CRSC reconsideration board.

The last chance, after a request for reconsideration is denied, is to apply for an appeal using DD Form 149.