Combat Related Service Connection

Key Factors
These key factors will help you understand the CRSC guidance:
  • Years of Service: The more service, the easier it is to qualify
  • Relative VA vs. DoD Disability Rating: The bigger the difference, the easier it is to qualify
  • Percent Disability Due to Combat: The bigger percentage, the easier it is to qualify
  • Any retired pay above 2.5% x Years of Service is still subject to offset by VA disability compensation
Multiple factors means that the results are not always predictable. In light of that, our best advice to combat-disabled retirees is to apply! Call our office to schedule an appointment so we can help file your claim.

Examples
Example 1: E4 with 4 YOS and rated 100% from both DoD and VA (100% combat-related)​ ​ ​
​DoD Disability Retirement: ​ ​$1,412 (75% of base pay)
​Service-Earned Pay: ​- ​$188 (4 years x 2.5% x pay)
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​ ​$1,224
​ ​ ​
​Max CRSC 100% combat-related:
(cannot exceed DoD disability retirement)		 ​ ​$1,412
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​- ​$1,224
​CRSC Eligibility: ​ ​$188
​ ​ ​
​CRSC Award: ​ ​$188

Example 2: O3 with 4 YOS and rated 70% from both DoD and VA (70% combat-related)​ ​ ​
​DoD Disability Retirement: ​ ​$3,125 (70% of base pay)
​Service-Earned Pay: ​- ​$446 (4 years x 2.5% x pay)
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​ ​$2,679
​ ​ ​
​Max CRSC 70% combat-related:
(cannot exceed DoD disability retirement)		 ​ ​$1,161
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​- ​$2,679
​CRSC Eligibility: ​ ​$0
​ ​ ​
​CRSC Award: ​ ​$0

Example 3: O4 with 12 YOS and rated 40% DoD rating, 80% VA rating (80% combat-related)​ ​ ​
​DoD Disability Retirement: ​ ​$2,240 (40% of base pay)
​Service-Earned Pay: ​- ​$1,680 (12 years x 2.5% x pay)
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​ ​$560
​ ​ ​
​Max CRSC 80% combat-related:
(cannot exceed DoD disability retirement)		 ​ ​$1,340
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​- ​$560
​CRSC Eligibility: ​ ​$789
​ ​ ​
​CRSC Award: ​ ​$789

Example 4: O4 with 12 YOS and rated 40% DoD rating, 100% VA rating (50% combat-related)​ ​ ​
​DoD Disability Retirement: ​ ​$2,240 (40% of base pay)
​Service-Earned Pay: ​- ​$1,680 (12 years x 2.5% x pay)
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​ ​$560
​ ​ ​
​Max CRSC 80% combat-related:
(cannot exceed DoD disability retirement)		 ​ ​$728
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​- ​$560
​CRSC Eligibility: ​ ​$168
​ ​ ​
​CRSC Award: ​ ​$168

Example 5: O5 with 18 YOS and rated 40% DoD rating, 100% VA rating (100% combat-related)​ ​ ​
​DoD Disability Retirement: ​ ​$2,966 (45% of base pay)
​Service-Earned Pay: ​- ​$2,966 (18 years x 2.5% x pay)
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​ ​$0
​ ​ ​
​Max CRSC 80% combat-related:
(cannot exceed DoD disability retirement)		 ​ ​$2,527
​DoD Pay for "Disability": ​- ​$0
​CRSC Eligibility: ​ ​$2,527
​ ​ ​
​CRSC Award: ​ ​$2,527