Concurrent DoD and VA Pay
Law requires that whenever an individual receives VA disability compensation there be a dollar for dollar reduction in any military retired pay. However, two programs have been legislated that partially make up for this offset. Retirees cannot receive benefits simultaneously under both of these programs. The programs are Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) program and the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program. These programs are discussed briefly below.
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) Program
This program provides a 10-year phase-out of the offset to military retired pay due to receipt of VA disability compensation. The phase-out will be complete in 2014. Qualified individuals are those who are retired active or reserve members who are currently entitled to retired pay and who also have a combined VA disability rating of 50% or greater. Members retired under military disability provisions (Chapter 61 to title 10 United States Code) must have at least 20 years of service. CRDP is a restoration of retired pay and subject to all the same laws and regulations as retired pay. A brief program description follows:
Effective January 1, 2004: Initial entitlement under the program began on January 1, 2004.
Effective January 1, 2005: The 10-year phase-out was eliminated for those individuals actually rated 100% disabled by the VA and they became eligible to receive all of their formerly offset military retired pay.
Effective October 1, 2008: The 10-year phase-out was eliminated for those individuals not rated 100% disabled by VA, but who are paid at the 100% level as "Individual Unemployables" (IUs), and they become eligible to receive all of their formerly offset military retired pay retroactive to January 1, 2005.
Initial Rates: CRDP is part of retired pay and cannot exceed the amount that would be otherwise offset. During CY 2004, CRDP was paid to qualified retirees up to the following maximum amount based on the current monthly VA disability rating:
VA Disability Rating Initial CRDP
Payment in CY 2004
100% (total) $750
90% $500
80% $350
70% $250
60% $125
50% $100
Phase Out: The above payments are increased each year following 2004, by additionally paying a percentage of the remaining amount of retired pay still being offset for each individual until the offset is completely eliminated in 2014. Therefore, the phase out is progressive. This results in the following schedule of payments:
Calendar Year Percentage of Remaining Offset (if any)
to be Added to Initial CRDP
2005 10.00%
2006 28.00%
2007 49.60%
2008 69.76%
2009 84.88%
2010 93.95%
2011 98.18%
2012 99.64%
2013 99.96%
Special Rules for Chapter 61 Disability Retirees: Members retired for disability under Chapter 61 of title 10 United States Code may be entitled to CRDP only if they have at least 20 years of service qualifying for regular or reserve retirement. Additionally, any disability retired pay that is in excess of retired pay to which that member would be otherwise entitled (i.e., for years of service) remains subject to offset and may not be restored under the CRDP program.
No Application Required: Applications for CRDP are neither required nor accepted. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) determines CRDP benefits automatically. Retirees who are not receiving payments, but believe they qualify, should contact their Military Department or DFAS to determine the reason for non-payment.
Taxability: This entitlement is generally taxable.
Information: Additional information is available at the following web site:
DFAS: http://www.dfas.mil/rapay/pageindex.html
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) Program
This program provides a special monthly payment equivalent to portion of the offset to military retired pay due to receipt of VA disability compensation determined to be combat-related. Qualified individuals include any military retired members with an offset to retired pay due to VA compensation determined to be combat-related. CRSC is not a restoration of retired pay, rather it is a special compensation. A brief program description follows:
Effective June 1, 2003: Initial benefits were payable only to members with at least 20 years of active duty or equivalent reserve duty (i.e. 7200 points) who had combat-related disabilities totaling a rating of 60% or more, or with a rating of 10% or more for combat-related injuries for which they were awarded a Purple Heart.
Effective January 1, 2004: Eligibility was extended to members with any level of VA rating for combat-related disabilities or Purple Heart which results in an offset to military retired pay. Additionally, eligibility was extended to members receiving Reserve retired pay (i.e., Reserve members at age 60 or younger in certain cases and with 20 "good" years or Reserve members retired under Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA)).
Effective January 1, 2008: Eligibility was extended to military disability retirees (i.e., Chapter 61 of title 10 United States Code) and members retired under active duty TERA rules.
Special Rules for Chapter 61 Disability Retirees: According to law, members retired for disability under Chapter 61 of title 10 United States Code must have the CRSC entitlement reduced by the amount their military disability retired pay exceeds the retired pay they would otherwise be entitled to for retirement based on years of service. Disability retirees with less than 20 years of service must have the CRSC entitlement reduced by the amount their military disability retired pay exceeds the amount calculated as for a regular retirement (i.e. 2½ percent x years of service x pay base). Note: this may result in a significant reduction or elimination of CRSC for members with few years of service.
Application Required: To receive CRSC benefits, retirees must apply with their Branch of Service on a DD Form 2860. The Service will determine which disabilities, if any, qualify as combat-related. DFAS will pay CRSC based on the current combined disability rating of combat-related disabilities as compensated for the current month by VA. Benefits before January 2004 are based on the VA compensation rate for a “veteran alone” and applicable to only those disabilities determined as combat-related.
Taxability: This entitlement is non-taxable.
Information: Additional information is available at the following web sites:
Army: http://www.crsc.army.mil/
Navy & Marine Corps: http://www.hq.navy.mil/ncpb/CRSCB/combatrelated.htm
Air Force: http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/crsc/
DoD:http://prhome.defense.gov/mppcrsc.html
Services may be contacted at the following addresses and toll-free numbers:
ARMY:
U.S. Total Army Personnel Command
U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency (CRSC)
c/o The Adjutant General Directorate
2461 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria VA 22331-0470
(Toll free 1-866-281-3254)
NAVY AND MARINE CORPS:
Department of Navy
Naval Council of Personnel Boards
Combat-Related Special Compensation Branch
720 Kennon Street S.E., Suite 309
Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5023
(Toll free 1-877-366-2772)
AIR FORCE:
United States Air Force Personnel Center
Disability Division (CRSC)
550 C Street West, Suite 6
Randolph AFB TX 78150-4708
(Toll Free 1-800-616-3775)
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