Crsc Calculator

CRSC Payment Estimator

Use this calculator to estimate your potential monthly Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) payment. CRSC is a special entitlement for military retirees with combat-related disabilities, designed to restore retired pay that is offset by VA disability compensation.

function calculateCRSC() { var grossRetiredPayInput = document.getElementById("grossRetiredPay").value; var totalVaDisabilityInput = document.getElementById("totalVaDisability").value; var combatRelatedVaDisabilityInput = document.getElementById("combatRelatedVaDisability").value; var grossRetiredPay = parseFloat(grossRetiredPayInput); var totalVaDisability = parseFloat(totalVaDisabilityInput); var combatRelatedVaDisability = parseFloat(combatRelatedVaDisabilityInput); var resultDiv = document.getElementById("crscResult"); if (isNaN(grossRetiredPay) || isNaN(totalVaDisability) || isNaN(combatRelatedVaDisability) || grossRetiredPay < 0 || totalVaDisability < 0 || combatRelatedVaDisability totalVaDisability) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Combat-Related VA Disability Compensation cannot exceed Total VA Disability Compensation."; return; } // Step 1: Determine the VA Waiver amount // This is the amount by which military retired pay is reduced due to VA disability compensation. // It's the lesser of the gross retired pay and the total VA disability compensation. var vaWaiver = Math.min(grossRetiredPay, totalVaDisability); // Step 2: Calculate the CRSC amount // CRSC is the lesser of the VA Waiver and the combat-related VA disability compensation. var crscAmount = Math.min(vaWaiver, combatRelatedVaDisability); resultDiv.innerHTML = "

Estimated Monthly CRSC Payment: $" + crscAmount.toFixed(2) + "

" + "(This is an estimate. Actual payments are determined by DFAS.)"; }

Understanding Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is a special entitlement for eligible military retirees with combat-related disabilities. Its primary purpose is to restore a portion of military retired pay that is typically offset by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation. This offset, often referred to as the "VA Waiver" or "dollar-for-dollar offset," means that for every dollar received in VA disability pay, a dollar is usually deducted from military retired pay.

Who is Eligible for CRSC?

To be eligible for CRSC, you must meet several criteria:

• You must be a military retiree (regular or reserve, or medically retired).
• You must be receiving military retired pay.
• You must be receiving VA disability compensation.
• Your VA disability must be determined to be "combat-related" by your branch of service. This includes disabilities resulting from:
  • Direct combat
  • Hazardous duty
  • Instrumentalities of war (e.g., injuries from military equipment)
  • Simulated combat (e.g., training exercises)

How Does CRSC Work?

Without CRSC (or CRDP), military retirees who receive VA disability compensation typically see their military retired pay reduced by the amount of their VA disability pay. This is because federal law prohibits "double-dipping" for the same disability. CRSC effectively restores this reduction, but only up to the amount of your VA disability that is specifically designated as combat-related. Importantly, CRSC payments are tax-free.

The calculation for CRSC involves two key steps:

1. Determine the VA Waiver: This is the amount by which your gross military retired pay is reduced due to your total VA disability compensation. It's the lesser of your gross monthly military retired pay and your total monthly VA disability compensation.
2. Calculate the CRSC Payment: Your monthly CRSC payment will be the lesser of the VA Waiver amount and the portion of your VA disability compensation that is specifically designated as combat-related.

CRSC vs. Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)

It's important to distinguish CRSC from Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP). While both programs allow military retirees to receive both their full military retired pay and VA disability compensation, they have different eligibility criteria and calculation methods. You cannot receive both CRSC and CRDP for the same dollar amount; you must choose which benefit is more advantageous for you. Generally:

• CRDP is for retirees with 20+ years of service and a VA disability rating of 50% or higher, regardless of whether the disability is combat-related.
• CRSC is specifically for combat-related disabilities, regardless of the VA disability rating percentage (though you must be receiving VA disability pay) or years of service (if medically retired).

Many retirees find CRSC more beneficial if their combat-related disabilities account for a significant portion of their VA disability, especially if they are not eligible for CRDP or if their CRSC amount would be higher.

Examples of CRSC Calculation

Let's look at a couple of scenarios:

Example 1: Combat-Related Pay is Less Than VA Waiver

• Gross Monthly Military Retired Pay: $3,000
• Total Monthly VA Disability Compensation: $2,000
• Monthly Combat-Related VA Disability Compensation: $1,500

Calculation:

1. VA Waiver: The lesser of $3,000 (Retired Pay) and $2,000 (Total VA Disability) is $2,000.
2. CRSC Payment: The lesser of $2,000 (VA Waiver) and $1,500 (Combat-Related VA Disability) is $1,500.

In this case, the estimated monthly CRSC payment would be $1,500.

Example 2: Combat-Related Pay is Equal to VA Waiver

• Gross Monthly Military Retired Pay: $1,800
• Total Monthly VA Disability Compensation: $2,500
• Monthly Combat-Related VA Disability Compensation: $1,800

Calculation:

1. VA Waiver: The lesser of $1,800 (Retired Pay) and $2,500 (Total VA Disability) is $1,800.
2. CRSC Payment: The lesser of $1,800 (VA Waiver) and $1,800 (Combat-Related VA Disability) is $1,800.

Here, the estimated monthly CRSC payment would be $1,800.

How to Apply for CRSC

You must apply for CRSC through your branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard). Each service branch has its own application process and forms. You will need to provide documentation proving your combat-related disabilities, such as medical records, awards, and service records.

Using the Calculator

Our CRSC Payment Estimator helps you quickly understand your potential benefit. Simply enter:

• Gross Monthly Military Retired Pay: Your total retired pay before any VA offset.
• Total Monthly VA Disability Compensation: The full amount of disability pay you receive from the VA.
• Monthly Combat-Related VA Disability Compensation: The specific portion of your VA disability pay that your service branch has designated as combat-related. This is a critical figure for CRSC.

Remember, this calculator provides an estimate. Your actual CRSC payment will be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) based on your official records and eligibility.