The Adjutant General Directorate Combat-Related Special Compensation Claim Workshop
Agenda What is CRSC? Who is Eligible? Service-Related vs. Combat-Related CRSC vs. CRDP CRSC in Action What you need to know How to obtain missing documents CRSC Claim Pages Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 How to Submit a Claim How you can help others How to Contact US 2
What is Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)? Congressionally mandated military retirees benefits program effective 1 June 2003 (all Services) Provides compensation for eligible military retirees Replaces the VA-disability compensation subtracted from retired pay Recognizes sacrifice during service Army program falls under The Adjutant General Directorate for the Human Resources Command, Alexandria, VA Awarded through claims process Military retiree initiates claim, BOS adjudicated, paid by DFAS Monthly tax-free pay, based on service pay and VA-disability rating Retroactive payments are available Reconsiderations and appeals are possible 3
Who Is Eligible for CRSC? Must Have ALL Four 1. AC, RC, NG with 20 years of credible service, Chapter 61 Medical*, Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)*, or Temporary Early Retirement Act (TERA)** retiree 2. 10% or greater VA rated injury that is combat-related 3. Receiving military retired pay 4. Military retired pay is reduced by VA disability payments (VA Waiver) At Least One 1. Simulating War (SW) 2. Hazardous Service (HS) 3. Instrumentality of War (IN) 4. Armed Conflict (AC) Note: Includes VA presumptive injuries *Medical Chapter 61 and TDRL retirees with one to 19 years are eligible for CRSC **TERA retirees with 15-19 years are eligible for CRSC 4
Service-Related vs. Combat-Related Service-Related Injuries Example: Hurt knee during Battalion run at Airborne School Directly related to military service Combat-Related Injury Examples: Simulating War - hurt knee while reacting to enemy fire during FTX Hazardous Services - hurt knee on a night jump during SF school Instrumentality of War -hit knee on rotating tank turret during FTX Armed Conflict - shot in knee by enemy during Gulf War 5
Decision Between CRSC and Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP) Benefit Information CRSC CRDP Full Concurrent Receipt Yes No 10 yr phase in (except 100% ratings) VA Rating Starts At 10% 50% Federal Tax Tax Free Taxed File Claims Must Apply Automatic Qualified Injury Combat Linked Service Connected Subject to Uniform Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA) No Yes SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan) No No Available to Chapter 61 Medical and TDRL Retirees with less than 20 years of service Yes No Available to TERA Retirees Yes Yes Notes a. If receiving CRDP payments will be subtracted from CRSC payments b. Claimants with 60-90% awarded Individually Unemployable (IU) receive 100% VA which is retroactive to 1 January 2005 and payable after 1 January 2008 (CRDP); CRSC receives 100% IU since 2005 d. A retiree cannot receive both CRSC and CRDP concurrently e. If a retiree is eligible for both programs they will be given the opportunity to elect which program they will receive f. A retiree may switch between programs during an annual Open Season 6
CRSC In Action Below is an example of the CRSC benefit A retiree receives a total of $1,521 a month for military retired pay and has been awarded VA service-connected disabilities at 100% and combat related disabilities at 50% With CRDP Military Retired Pay (E7) $1,521 VA Offset - $1,521 VA Pay (100%) +$2,600 CRDP (100%) +$1,521 Total Pay = $4,121 Total $2,600 Tax-Free / $ 1,521 Taxed With CRSC Military Retired Pay $1,521 VA Offset -$1,521 VA Pay (100%) +$2,600 CRSC (50%) +$750 Total Pay = $3,350 Tax-Free 7
How to Procure Missing Medical Records (Based on VA Title 38) Step 1- Step 2- Step 3- Step 4- Step 5- Step 6- Provide Primary Provider* current diagnosis and existing medical documentation for claimed injuries Provide proof of assignment stating Where/When injured (e.g. Orders, Morning Reports, DA Form 2-1) Provide personal statement claiming How how you were injured (direct cause vs. whole career) Provide a Buddy Statement to support your claim if available (Military.Com has a Buddy Finder site) Take the above documents to a local Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or VA Hospital/Clinic Ask for your computer-generated medical exam notes validating HOW the injury occurred. The medical provider should use your evidence and diagnosis of the condition from your records provided (must not state a "history from the Soldier )** *Doctor, nurse, or physician assistant **See copy of our letter explaining purpose of the visit to your primary provider 8
CRSC Take Aways The top two reasons CRSC claims are disapproved Official documentation provided does not tell HOW the injury occurred The VA rating decision narrative summary was not provided CRSC offers helpful E-tools to assist retirees during the claim process on our website or through our Call Center Letter for your Medical Provider Procuring Missing Documents Tips to preparing a Successful Claim Frequently Asked Questions 9
CRSC Claim Pages CRSC Claim Pages: Military retiree completes pages 1 3 only when submitting a claim (the cover page and the appendix should not be mailed into the CRSC office) Each page provides a step-by-step guide to what information is needed Page 1 provide personal information including service history Page 2 request for combat-relatedness determination Page 3 provide required documentation that supports the claim 10
CRSC Claim Page 1 Name and Social Security Number Section I Personal Identification Section II Preliminary CRSC Criteria Section III Service History Must provide copies of all evidentiary documentation 11
CRSC Claim Page 2 When more than 1 combat-related injuries is documented: Photocopy this page, for each additional disability, complete, and attach with your claim form Name and Social Security Number Section IV Combat-relatedness determination (Description of Injury) Description of Secondary Disability (if applicable) 12
CRSC Claim Page 3 Name and Social Security Number Section V Documentation Inventory Section VI Certification and Waiver of Concurrent Retirement and Disability payments (CRDP) * Signature REQUIRED! * If you are currently receiving CRDP payments and apply for CRSC, DFAS will give you whichever payment is higher. 13
How to Submit a Claim Step 1- Download a copy of claim form from the CRSC Web site Step 2- Step 3- Step 4- Step 5- Review the CRSC Information Document, Claim Guide and FAQ s on the CRSC web site Review all of your VA rating decisions to see if they state - HOW you got the injury (see the document Completing a Successful CRSC Claim for assistance available on www.crsc.army.mil) If YES to Step 3, complete the CRSC claim form If NO to Step 3, then go through personnel and medical records to see if you can find any evidence to verify the claim If still NO to Step 3, then see How to Procure Missing Medical Records Attach the required documentation and send completed claim form to: Department of the Army, CRSC Division, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332 Note: Please do not send original documents, copies only 14
How You Can Help Others Become a CRSC Ambassador to fellow veterans! Promote CRSC benefits as our representative Provide educational and claim assistance Access to CRSC training Personalized tools and resources Sign up today at www.crsc.army.mil Click on Ambassadors 15
How to Contact Us Website: Email: Mail: www.crsc.army.mil crsc.info@us.army.mil AHRC Attn: AHRC-PDP-V 2200 Stovall Street Alexandria, VA 22332-0470 Call: 1-866-281-3254 Questions Become an Official Ambassador - Contact us above! We recognize that all injuries impact a Soldier s life, and we appreciate the sacrifice of every Soldier. 16