According to the VA’s Combat-Related Service Compensation (CRSC) website at https://bit.ly/3JqLexq, retirees should apply for CRSC by sending their completed application with any supporting documents, to their uniformed service. Do NOT send original supporting documents since your uniformed service won’t return them. Send copies only. The VA recommends that veterans make a copy of their completed application for their own records. The application must include a completed Department of Defense (DD) Claim for CRSC Form 2860. Veterans can download the DD Form 2860 at the VA’s CRSC website or by placing the following URL in your computer search engine https:// bit.ly/3bn7o7r.
6-year statute of limitations
Veterans should take note that there is a six-year statute of limitations for CRSC. To be sure veterans get the full amount of their back payments, veterans must file their CRSC claim within six years of any VA rating decision or the date they become entitled to retired pay, whichever comes first. If a veteran files his or her claim after this six-year limit, they can only get up to six years’ worth of any payments due to them.
Uniform service addresses
Uniform service addresses to send CRSC claims to are found on DD Form 2860 and are shown below.
U.S. Navy CRSC Address: Secretary of the Navy, Council of Review Boards, Attn: Combat-Related Special Compensation Branch, 720 Kennon Street SE, Suite 309, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5023. Navy veterans should go to the Navy’s CRSC Board website https:// bit.ly/3c5BYTf and read the information there and download the Navy CRSC Mobile App. Veterans will find at that site eligibility criterion, benefits, how to calculate CRSC, special rules regarding chapter 61 retirees, the CRSC Application Form DD Form 2860, recommended documents to submit, the answers to frequently asked questions, application tips, federal employee benefits, reconsideration form, how to obtain military records, key contacts, and veteran support resources. The primary means of communication and quickest response is via the Navy’s Organizational email at https://bit.ly/3SNryZ0.
U.S. Army CRSC Address: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Attn: AHRC-PDP-C (CRSC), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Department. 480, Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408. Retirees can also send their application by email to https://bit. ly/3QnllBv or use the Army’s eFAX phone number 502- 613-9550.
U.S. Air Force and Space Force CRSC Submission Address: United States Air Force, Disability Division (CRSC), HQ AFPC/DPPDC, 550 C Street West, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-470.
U.S. Coast Guard Address: Commander (PSC-PSD-MED), Personnel Service Center, Attn: CRSC, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20593-7200. If USCG retirees have any questions about CRSC, they can email the Coast Guard at ARL-SMB-CGPSC-PSD-CRSC@ uscg.mil. USCG retirees can get more information about USCG CRSC at https://bit. ly/3Qv30m9.
Frequently Asked Questions at the VA’s CRSC Website
Reference: https://bit. ly/3JqLexq.
Can a retiree get back payments for CRSC? If a retiree has been eligible for CRSC payments in the past, they may be able to get back payments. If the retiree gets a new CRSC award letter or there’s a change to their VA disability compensation award, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, or another payment office for the retiree’s uniformed service, will audit the retiree’s account and determine if he or she should get back payments. If the retiree is due back payments, they will receive them from either DFAS or the VA.
Can a retiree ask their uniformed service to reconsider their request for CRSC? Yes. Retirees can ask for a reconsideration of the decision from their uniformed service if the retiree’s CRSC application gets denied or the retiree receives a new disability rating for a condition or injury that’s combat-related or the retiree’s disability rating that’s connected to their existing CRSC changes.
How can a retiree request a CRSC reconsideration? The retiree can go to the VA’s CRSC website at https://bit.ly/3JqLexq and click on their branch of service to find out how to submit a reconsideration request. Some of the important information at that site includes:
- Navy and Marine Corps. If a Navy or Martine retiree’s CRSC application gets denied, they will receive a reconsideration request form in the mail when they get their decision letter. Retired Sailors and Marines can also find this form on the Navy’s CRSC Board website https://bit.ly/3c5BYTf. Retirees can also call 877-366-2772 to ask the Navy to send the retiree the form by mail or email. Marine and Navy retirees should send their completed CRSC Reconsideration Form and any new evidence to the Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards, Combat-Related Special Compensation Board, 720 Kennon Street SE, Suite 309, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5023 or send it by email to CRSC@ navy.mil.
- U.S. Army. If a retired soldier’s CRSC application gets denied, they can submit a request for reconsideration. They can get a CRCS Reconsideration Form (Form 12e) from the Army’s Human Resources Command website at https://bit.ly/3c5DvZv. Army retirees should send their completed form and any new evidence to Department of the Army, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Attn: AHRC-PDP-C (CRSC), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Dept. 480, Fort Knox, KY 40122- 5408 or fax it to 502- 613-9550. Retirees can also send it by email to usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx. tagd-crsc-claims@mail. mil.
- Air Force. If a retired Airman’s or Airwoman’s CRSC application gets denied, they receive a Reconsideration Request Form in the mail when they get their decision letter. The retiree should use this form or simply send a signed letter, along with any new evidence, to the Air Force asking them to reopen their claim. If the retiree needs help, they can call 800-525-0102. If there’s been a change to your disability rating, please also include your most recent decision notice. Retirees need to send their completed form or a letter, along with any new evidence to: HQ AFPC/DPFDC, 550 C Street West, JBSA Randolph, TX 78150. USAF retirees can also upload their form and any new evidence through the myPers website.
- Coast Guard. If a Coastguard retiree’s CRSC application gets denied, they can send the USCG a request for reconsideration. The retiree does NOT need to fill out a form. Just send the Coast Guard a signed letter along with any new evidence to Commander (PSC-PSD-MED) Personnel Service Center, Attn: CRSC, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20593-7200. USCG retirees can also send it by email to ARL-SMB-CGPSC-PSD-CRSC@ uscg.mil.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843- 276-7164.
