Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
Program Description
The Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program was enacted by Congress on 2 December 2002. The CRSC program provides compensation for eligible MILITARY retirees with combat-related disabilities. The Army CRSC program is operated by the Army Human Resources Command (HRC) under the direction of the United States Army Physical Disability Agency. Since the programs launch (June, 2003), 30 percent of eligible retired Soldiers have applied for CRSC and 55 percent of claims have been approved. 238,000 retired Soldiers are eligible for CRSC (as of 02/27/06) with an increase of 2,500 eligible annually. CRSC provides a monthly tax-free compensation (full concurrent receipt option) that supplements Veterans Administration (VA) disability and military retired payments. To apply for CRSC, claimants must first meet ALL four of the following criteria AND have at least one VA rated injury determined to have been combat-related:- Active, Reserve, or Medically retired with at least 20 years of service
- Receiving retired pay
- Retired pay is OFFSET by VA payments and
- Have 10 percent or greater VA rated injury.
- Training that simulates war
- Hazardous duty
- Instrumentality of war, or
- Armed conflict
