Armed Forces News

Last week the Defense Department released consolidated rules and application forms for both original and expanded Combat-Related Special Compensation procedures. Under the original CRSC law, effective June 1, 2003, military retirees with 10 percent or more VA disability compensation resulting in a Purple Heart, and those with at least 60 percent disability because of combat or combat-related causes, were eligible for CRSC. On Jan. 1, 2004, military retirees, including Guard and Reserves, with combat and certain combat-related disabilities rated 10 percent or higher became eligible for expanded CRSC. Payments were backdated to June 1, 2003 for original CRSC beneficiaries, and Jan. 1, 2004 for the expanded program. The new guidelines also cover Special Monthly Compensation and Individual Unemployability compensation. Each will require the service board to identify the individual’s disabilities that are combat-related. For more information and application forms, visit www.dod.mil/prhome/crsc.html.