COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL COMPENSATION (CRSC)


 

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) provides tax-free monthly payments to eligible retired veterans with combat-related injuries. With CRSC you can receive an amount equal to or less than your length of service retirement pay and your VA disability compensation, if the injury is combat-related.

What is CRSC?

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is a form of concurrent receipt which is paid monthly. It restores military retired pay that is offset when a Coast Guard Retiree accepts compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a disability or condition that can be attributed to a combat-related event as defined by Coast Guard program guidance. This allows eligible Retirees to concurrently receive an amount equal to or less than their length of service retirement pay and their VA disability compensation, if the injury is combat-related. For additional reference, please see

DOD FMR 7000.14R vol 7B ch 63

Mailing Address specifically for Coast Guard CRSC claim submissions:

COMMANDER (PSC-PSD-MED)

Personnel Service Center

2703 Martin Luther King Jr. AVE SE

Washington, DC 20593-7200

CRSC Coordinator: ARL-SMB-CGPSC-PSD-CRSC@uscg.mil

Enacted by Congress on December 2, 2002, the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program restores military retired pay to eligible retired veterans with Service Connected Disabilities, that have been determined to be Combat Related. 

Congress later established the “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016,” which provided further clarification of eligibility for members of the Coast Guard for combat-related special compensation. Eligibility expanded to include disabilities incurred during aviation duty, diving duty, rescue swimmer or similar duty, and hazardous service duty onboard a small vessel (such as duty as a surfman)—

(A) in the performance of duties for which special or incentive pay was paid pursuant to section 301, 301a, 304, 307, 334, or 351 of title 37, United States Code;

(B) in the performance of duties related to a statutory mission of the Coast Guard under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of section 888(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(a)), including—

(i) law enforcement, including drug or migrant interdiction;

(ii) defense readiness; or

(iii) search and rescue; or

(C) while engaged in a training exercise for the performance of a duty described in

subparagraphs (A) and (B).

With the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 on December 23, 2022, Congress further expanded Coast Guard eligibility for CRSC to cover exposures to hazardous materials or chemicals. An occupational exposure to hazardous materials is defined as:

An exposure, either acute or over prolonged periods, to specific chemicals, particulates, or physical agents, which result in a disabling condition. Materials include but are not limited to: asbestos, benzene, heavy metals, noise, radiation, respiratory sensitizers, and mixed solvents.

Enrollment in the Occupational Medical Surveillance and Evaluation Program (OMSEP) is not a requirement for eligibility, but in such cases where not monitored, the burden of evidence is on the applicant to provide supporting documentation of occupational exposure.


If you have questions about the CRSC claim process or claim form, please refer to the CRSC frequently asked questions (FAQs) section. If you need additional assistance, please email the Coast Guard CRSC Coordinator: ARL-SMB-CGPSC-PSD-CRSC@uscg.mil

Additionally, several Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) can assist you with your claim, search the VA website for more information.