1. NACVSO Conference June 12, 2014
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and Concurrent Retirement Disability Payment (CRDP)
CRSC and CRDP are programs created by Congress to allow additional entitlement for military retirees in addition to their military retired pay. Specifically, the Department of Defense makes extra payments to retirees to overcome some or all the offset from retired pay associated with the receipt of disability compensation from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. A veteran’s eligibility to CRSC and CRDP are determined by his former military service branch and is administered and paid by the Department of Defense and not the VA.
NACVSO Conference
June 12, 2014

2. Topics What is CRSC and CRDP?
Who is eligible to receive CRSC and CRDP?
How Does CRSC and CRDP effect a veteran’s VA Compensation Benefits?
Where can you find more information about CRSC and CRDP?
Today we will briefly discuss what the CRSC and CRDP are, who is eligible to receive these programs, how these programs effect a veteran’s VA compensation benefit payments, when and how a veteran’s VA compensation benefits payments are adjusted, as well as where to find additional information about these programs.

3. What is CRSC?
“Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) was authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2003, Public Law (PL) , and became effective June 1, Eligibility was expanded effective January 1, CRSC is intended to reimburse combat-disabled veterans for a portion of their retirement pay that must be waived to receive VA benefits. “
CRSC is a special compensation for combat related disabilities. It is not taxable and retirees must apply to their branch of service to in order receive it. CRSC is not retired pay and is subject to collection actions for alimony, child support, community property, garnishment and government debt. CRSC is not subject to Uniform Services Former Spouse Protection Act.
VA Manual Rewrite Part III, Subpart V. 5.A.7.a

4. Application or Election of CRSC
A veteran must contact his or her branch of service to apply for CRSC. The application should be submitted on a DD Form 2860, Application for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
The application is available at

5. CRSC Eligibility A retired veteran must have:
20-years of service based upon longevity
Guard or Reserve retirees must receive a 20-year letter and be age 60
Retirees under Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) and disability retirees with less than 20-years of service are not eligible to receive CRSC
Retirees must have 20-years of service based upon longevity. Guard or Reserve retirees must receive a 20-year letter and be age 60. Retirees under Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) and disability retirees with less than 20-years of service are not eligible to receive CRSC.

6. CRSC Eligibility CRSC is not retired pay CRSC is not taxable
CRSC is subject to collection actions for alimony, child support, community property, garnishment, and government debt
Retirees must apply to the CRSC Board from the branch of service from which retired
CRSC is not subject to Uniform Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA)

7. What is CRDP?
“Special Compensation for Severely Disabled Retirees (SCSD) was a benefit, established by the Defense Authorization Act of 2000, effective October 1, Eligibility criteria were liberalized effective October 1, 2001, and February 1, This benefit was repealed effective January 1, 2004, and replaced with Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP).”
VA Manual Rewrite Part III, Subpart V. 5.A.6.a

8. Application or Election of CRDP
An application for CRDP is not necessary.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will automatically determine the amount of CRDP and initiate payment.
Veterans should contact their military department or DFAS if they did not receive notification, but believe they are eligible.

9. CRDP Eligibility A retired veteran must have:
Disability retirees must have 20-years of service based upon longevity
Retirees under Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) with less than 20-years are eligible to receive CRDP
Retirees must have VA established service connected disabilities of 50% or higher

10. Who is a Retiree?
Retirees under Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) with less than 20-years are eligible to receive CRDP
Retirees under Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) and disability retirees with less than 20-years of service are not eligible to receive CRSC
Retirees who retired due to disability must have 20-years of service

11. Who is a Retiree?
Fleet Reserve and Fleet Marine Reserve: Members who transfer to the retainer list (prior to October 1, 1977) could have done so with 19-years, 6 months of active service. For purposes of CRSC and CRDP those retirees are eligible. Those who transfer after that date must have at least 20-years of active service
Military/Civil Service Retiree: Retirees who waived their retired pay to enable them to combine their service (military and civilian) to retire from the Civil Service are not eligible for neither CRSC nor CRDP

12. Who is a Retiree?
Reservist and National Guard members need to have 20 years of qualifying service (active and inactive) to retire at age 60. Qualifying reserve component retirees must waive retired pay until they reach age 60. Once they meet the age requirement and longevity requirement CRSC and CRDP rules apply. The requirements outlined also apply to reservist who retired based upon disability, Chapter 61.

13. Chapter 61 Disability Retirees
The retired pay of a member retired under Chapter 61 with 20-years or more of creditable service, at the time of retirement, is subject to reduction. The amount of reduction will only encompass the amount that exceeds the member’s retired pay in which he or she would have been entitled to under any other provision of the law based upon longevity.

14. Dual Entitlement
When a veteran is entitled to both CRSC and CRDP the “greater benefit” is warranted
Coast Guard retirees are allowed to switch programs from month to month based upon the most advantageous.

15. Virtual VA A “CRSC/CRDP Folder” has been added
2 types of documents in the folder
“CRSC/CRDP One-Time Payment Notification from DFAS” provides the date VA was notified and the date of the payment
“CRSC/CRDP Election Archive” shows the program the program the vet is being paid under and the effective date

16. References http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/disability/payment.html
VA Manual Rewrite Part III, subpart V. 5.A.6.a
VA Manual Rewrite Part III, subpart V. 5.A.7.a
CRSC and CRDP Fact Sheet

17. QUESTIONS?