Chap 61 Crsc Claims:

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About 20,000 veterans forced out of the military early by a combat-related injury could be eligible for hundreds in special compensation pay under new rules outlined by the services this month. Congressional researchers estimated the new program will cost the Defense Department about $680 million over the next 10 years. The change, mandated by Congress last year, makes veterans who served less than 20 years (i.e. Chap 61, TERA, and TERA) eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation payments from the Defense Department. Those funds are designed to restore money deducted from troops tion, but those with fewer years were not eligible. Now, the new change is effective back to 1 JAN 08 making all combat veterans eligible to apply for six months of retroactive payments and future monthly compensation. Medical and TERA retirees must still provide documentation that shows a causal link between a current VA disability and a combat-related event. Department of Defense guidance defines a combat-related disability in one of the three following ways:
1. A Purple Heart disability, which is a disability with an assigned medical diagnosis code from the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities, or VASRD, that was attributed to injuries for which the member was awarded a Purple Heart.
2. One with an assigned medical diagnosis code from the VASRD that was:
-- incurred as a direct result of armed conflict;
-- as a result of hazardous service;
-- in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or
-- through an instrumentality of war.
3. One with an assigned medical diagnosis code from the VASRD that was deemed presumptive or "presumed" by the VA to be incurred as a result of combat operations. More

To receive the special compensation, veterans must be currently receiving military retired pay and veterans disability payments, and must have a 10% or greater rated disability recognized by the military as combat related. The amount of the monthly CRSC pay will be based on troopsa). Copy of Chapter 61 Board results (Chapter 61 claimants only).
b). Copies of ALL VA rating decisions which include the letter and the narrative summaries
c). Copies of ALL DD214's
d). Medical records that support "HOW" the injury occurred for each claimed disability that meets the criteria for combat-related. Refer to CRSC website to learn what combat-related is.

PDF Claim forms can be downloaded at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/i...rms/dd2860.pdf. For additional info and where to send applications refer to
� USA: www.crsc.army.mil
� USN/USMC: www.hq.navv.mil/corb /CRSCB/ combatrelated.htm
� USCG: CGPC: Administration Division (CGPC-adm-1).
� USAF: Air Force Personnel Center - Combat Related Special Compensation.