What is the difference between CRSC and CRDP? Which is the best option for a disabled veteran to use?

MAJ Armando LLamas — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 11:47:12 -0500

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?

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Feb 13 at 2019 12:01 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 12:01:15 -0500

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.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 13 at 2019 12:18 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 12:18:53 -0500

http://www.vetadvocates.org

Trust me, we used one vet group, my whole thing was horrendous...they did try their best, honest, it just spiraled and mushroomed, taking on a whole life of its own...so, we transferred it to one of the NOVA guys here, they have a search engine, or you can call their office...our guy got a $500 buck consult, then got us pro-bono free help from another law firm near us he knew...the whole thing, incl. the vet group, took six and half years, we gave him what the law entitled Va-disability attorneys to get, and truly found out why God invented attorneys, vet groups are all good, don't get me wrong, as are law school vet-law clinics, though they can't take on every case...however, believe me when I tell you, NOVA saved our bacon, our guy did it all, the NODs, the DROs, the BVA traveling team at the VARO near us, where we met a vet law judge (VLJ), basically an admin law judge (ALJ)...their guys are truly the top of the VA-disability attorney food chain, along with the vet groups and law schools, so, if you need them, call them, trust them, give them what they need if they'll take you on, and then just sit back, feed them paper, fill out and sign what they tell you to, and do exactly what they say, OK? If you'd wanna chat, I'm here, no rush, whenever you want...I didn't deploy, I was on a list at one point, I became too ill, so I wasn't used, I've sent in about NOVA many times on here, as have others, lemme know your thoughts, I'll try to elaborate whenever you'd want, OK?

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Response by Patricia Overmeyer made Feb 13 at 2019 1:20 PM

Patricia Overmeyer — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 13:20:45 -0500

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.

Response by CPO Randy Gasser made Feb 13 at 2019 4:02 PM

CPO Randy Gasser — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 16:02:11 -0500

Since you are retired military, this means you draw the full amount of your retirement pay and your VA disability, there is no reduction or offset. Make sense? Please see the link directly from DFAS. https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/disability/crdp.html

crdp.html

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 5 at 2019 8:07 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 20:07:20 -0400

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)