Air Force CRSC Applications

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Service still seeking special compensation claimants

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The approval rate
of claims for Combat-Related Special Compensation is
currently running 66 percent, but one-third of the
eligible
retirees still have not applied for the program.

Air Force Personnel Center officials expected an increase
in claims when the benefit was expanded to include all
combat or combat-related disabilities rated as
service-connected by the Department of Veterans Affairs at
10 percent or
higher, but that increase has just not happened.

"When in doubt - apply," said Mr. Rick Castro, Air Force
CRSC program manager. "It may be the key to receiving
additional tax-free money to which you're entitled. I
encourage
all who meet the basic eligibility criteria to apply and
let our experienced staff make the decision."

The Air Force has processed about 34,000 Air Force claims
since the program's inception in 2003; however, this is
just a drop in the bucket compared to the number of
retirees
still possibly eligible, Mr. Castro said. Data shows
there are more than 200,000 members receiving Air Force
retired pay who also receive 10 percent or greater VA
disability
compensation today. Even subtracting the 50,000 already
under Concurrent Retirement Disability Payments (often
called "Concurrent Receipt"), there are still 120,000
retirees
who have not applied for CRSC.

Mr. Castro believes the lack of participation could be
attributed to two causes; many retired Airmen may not have
heard about the program, or perhaps people are confusing
the
CRSC criteria with that of Concurrent Receipt.

"That said, let our experts make the call," Mr. Castro
explained. "That way if you do not qualify and something
in
the law or Department of Defense CRSC policy changes in
the
future that could affect the prior decision, we will
already have a claim and documentation, and can reassess a
claim based on the new eligibility factors."

In determining eligibility, retired members should answer
the following questions:

-- Am I retired with 20 (or more) years of active duty, or
retired at age 60 from the Guard or Reserve?

-- Am I receiving retired pay?

-- Do I have a compensable VA disability of 10 percent or
higher?

-- Is my pay offset by VA disability payments (VA waiver)?


"If you answered 'yes' to those questions and have not
submitted your CRSC claim, you must not need the money,"
Mr.
Castro said. "However, the money is tax-free and could go
a long way in funding the education of children,
grandchildren, or any number of quality-of-life
improvements. "

Although CRSC specifically addresses "combat-related"
disabilities incurred from armed conflict, retirees who
developed disabilities from other than combat may also be
eligible. Disabilities caused by exposure to Agent Orange,
combat training, aircrew duties, simulated war exercises,
parachuting and munitions demolition potentially qualify
for
compensation under this program. But slipping and falling
in
an exercise or even during combat -- if not caused by
something related to combat, combat training, or an
instrumentality of war -- normally does not qualify for
CRSC.

The CRSC team needs a copy of all copies of a retiree's
Department of Defense Form 214 or retirement order, copies
of any VA rating decisions addressing the disabilities
being claimed, and any other available documentation.
Retired
members who do not have their rating decisions should let
the team know; it will work to get the rating decisions
from the VA.

Information and claim forms are available on the AFPC
"Ask" Web site http://ask.afpc. randolph. af.mil; search for
"CRSC". You can also get more information through the
24-hour
Air Force Contact Center at (800) 616-3775.