Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pays special compensation to retirees whose income has been reduced due to receiving disability compensation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
This means that qualified military retirees with 20 years or more of service who have a VA-rated condition that is "conflict-related" will no longer have their military retirement pay reduced by the amount of their VA disability compensation. Instead, they will be paid their full military retirement pay and their VA disability benefits. A summary of Combat-Related Special Compensation follows:
- The CRSC Benefit's Importance
- The Procedure for Applying
- If a military retiree is eligible, they will receive their usual retirement pay plus an additional amount based on their VA disability rating.
Eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation
Members must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for CRSC. For one of the following reasons, you may be eligible for military retirement pay:
- Served on Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard with 20 years of creditable service.
- Served on Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard and is also a permanent medical retiree regardless of years served.
- Served on Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard and is also a permanent medical retiree regardless of years served.
- Served on Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard and was a permanent medical retiree.
- Served on Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard and is categorized as a Temporary Disability Retirement List retiree regardless of service years.
- Served on Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard and is designated as a Temporary Early Retirement Act retiree with 15-19 years of service.
- Have a 10% or higher VA rating for a combat-related injury. VA disability payments lower military retirement compensation.
The member must be able to show that the injury occurred as a result of one of the following:
- Instrumentality of War
- Hazardous Service
- Agent Orange
- Simulating War
- Radiation Exposure
- Armed Conflict
- Gulf War
- Purple Heart
- Mustard Gas or Lewisite
The Application Process for the CRSC:
Your application for Combat-Related Special Compensation must be submitted through your parent military service branch. Each branch of the military can decide on your eligibility.
Do you know veterans can join the ranks of security guards as well? Visit this blog to know how one can get a security officer license.
