Posted on Feb 13, 2019
MAJ Armando LLamas
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I have been working to get my disability approved and VA rated me totally and permanently disabled effective date of July 18, 2017. VA also rated me unemployable and housebound due to service-connected disabilities effective July 18, 2017. I am receiving 100% VA disability under Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP). I am also currently receiving my normal retirement pension from active duty service. My question is knowing the difference between Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) vs Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP) and best option for disable veteran to use. My disability is combat related so I could request CRSC but first want to know what the advantages or disadvantages are if I request. I don’t want to reduce what I am currently getting or cause any delays in my current monthly payment by requesting. Want some feedback from any retired disable vets who are receiving their retirement pay and disability from VA if they have recommendations, lesson learn or feedback for me and others who may be in same situation?
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Responses: 5
MAJ Ken Landgren
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I may be smoking crack but here is my 2 cents. If a veteran has 20 years in and has a VA disability he can get money from the military and the VA. If the veteran has less than 20 years he will get only money from the military or the VA, but not both. CRDP

If the Veteran gets injured while in combat the veteran gets retirement from both the military and VA regardless of the years served. (CRSC)
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Patricia Overmeyer
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MAJ Armando LLamas: You cannot receive both CRDP and CRSC at the same time. If you get $1.00 of CRDP, you can't get CRSC and vice versa.
CRDP requires at least a VA disability rating of 50% or higher and twenty years of military service. If you have a VA waiver on your military retirement, and the VA disability rating is 50% or higher, then you automatically receive CRDP to compensate for the VA disability rating. Your VA disability rating encompasses all disabling conditions which were received in service, whether related to combat or not, as well as employability.
CRSC is based on actual injuries received from combat. It does not require twenty years of military service. However, it may end up providing you a lower disability rating than a VA disability rating. This is due to the fact that not all disabling conditions received in the military are considered for CRSC. CRSC does not look at issues of employability.
You can apply for CRSC even if you receive CRDP. If you are awarded CRSC, DFAS will do a review to determine which will provide a greater benefit/pay out. If you are awarded CRSC, then you will receive information each year, usually mid to late November, regarding the open enrollment period in December, so you can determine which you wish to receive (CRDP or CRSC). This is due to the fact that your CRSC or VA ratings change.
You need to discuss this with a Veteran Service Officer or an attorney who specializes in Veteran's Benefits. Once you have the discussion, then you will be better informed as to which direction you want to go.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
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I suggest consulting a Veterans advocacy organization such as AmVets. AmVets helped me with my disability claim, and my representative has always been very knowledgeable and helpful with all of my questions.
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