Need Help - CRSC Award Letter....

ngkm5

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Help/Guidance is requested.

So a few months ago, I posted the below link in reference to my referring condition (PTSD) being awarded as combat related:
http://www.pebforum.com/threads/crd-decision-notification.41369/

After a lot of research, I decided to apply for CRSC. I got my paper work in order, submitted it all with the request form and finally got an email indicating receipt of package advising ~45 days average turnaround time.

I’m 70%DoD and 80%VA:

70% PTSD
10% lower back
10% tinnitus

Today I received a letter indicating that I have been awarded CRSC. Though this being positive, I’m a little upset but further confused of the outcome.

I’ve been awarded 10% for my tinnitus (???)
But zero for PTSD - as it’s now indicated as not being considered as combat related????

I’m confused because I have an appeal letter awarding my PTSD being combat related by the Department of the Navy, Deputy Division Director, Office of Judge Advocate General, S. E. Milewski - that was included in my package that I submitted.

Thoughts?
Ideas?
Any further action??

Thanks!843372F3-65E0-4CCE-ACC9-40177D68A90F.jpeg
 
You may need to appeal. In your packet did you clearly demonstrate that a specific event that falls under the criteria for CRSC was directly related to your PTSD?
 
An example of how this would be written is, during my deployment to Iraq in 2007, I was involved in a firefight in which my unit received direct fire from the enemy. Our team suffered causal ties that I witnessed and this event is my trigger for PTSD symptoms. Please see attached medical notes from my provider and a statement from my PSG detailing the operation.
 
This is part of the letter is was referring to; the appeal granting my condition of being combat related:3E51226B-F7F3-4AF1-8B8C-69BD96EFE85B.jpeg
 
Do I do an appeal or it’s basically an open/shut case?
 
GSFowler provided excellent advice. Your decision letter shows that your application materials did not establish that specific combat-related events caused...

Another example: "XXXX's PTSD is related to a rocket attack that occurred at [location] on [date] while serving with [unit]."

You can submit an application for reconsideration. The Navy's CRSC website is at
http://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/CORB/Pages/CRSCB/default.aspx

This pertains to the Army, but the Navy likely has a similar procedure: CRSC claimants who have been found ineligible or disapproved a second time have the opportunity to submit an Appeal with the Army Review Boards Agency (ARBA).

Good luck
 
Thanks guys.
I appreciate all the help. This is why I love this forum!

I’ll update this thread as things change.

FYI - the process took less than 45 days.
 
That's a shame we have to fight so hard to get we are deserved
 
CRSC is often misunderstood. Being service connected or combat related is not enough to establish a claim. It is an area of veteran's compensation which appears to remain unclear on this forum and among military members. I hope veterans organizations will request Congress amend the law so that the process becomes clear to members and veterans.
 
If my paperwork says combat related injury from DOD and VA there should not be no doubt but to approve the claim
 
So I emailed the CRSC board Over the weekend and received a response early Monday afternoon.

I have been advised to submit a reconsideration forum and attach what documents are to establish a specific combat-related event causing the diagnosis of PTSD.

And hour later I sent the request and received receipt of confirmation email.

30-45 days
I’ll continue to update.
 
Why is it taking much longer now to process CRSC claims
 
I am not familiar with your service, but the Army has stated that their processing is taking an average of 10 months currently. I have switched between CRDP and CRSC on multiple occasions since 2006 (regular retirement) and can remember when the Army completed the processing in less than 30 days. I suspect the Army has more applications than the other services and that is the primary reason for the extended time.

Army CRSC applications are processed by a civilian contractor.

The USCG processing takes a long time too. It is my understanding that only a few people are involved in the processing.

The Navy/USMC processing is usually timely and the AF processing time is reasonable as well.

It is my understanding that all the services use military personnel for CRSC evaluations and processing except the Army.
 
So....
I finally got the decision letter back from the reconsideration and it’s the same; 10% Tinnitus, 0% PTSD.
(Except now, it’s ‘PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder’ - the original notification from first go-around (pictured above) was only ‘PTSD’)
The only option I have left is submit an appeal to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (as advised in the notification letter) and probably get a lawyer....but I think doing so is a waste of time considering the evidence I already gathered insupport of my case was pretty strait forward, or so I thought - a letter from the mental heath provider that initiated my medical separation - describing in detail her how my illness is directly connected and as a result of combat.

So I guess that’s a first closed door for me. Either way, just wanted to update the forum for everyones future reference.
 
So....
I finally got the decision letter back from the reconsideration and it’s the same; 10% Tinnitus, 0% PTSD.
(Except now, it’s ‘PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder’ - the original notification from first go-around (pictured above) was only ‘PTSD’)
The only option I have left is submit an appeal to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (as advised in the notification letter) and probably get a lawyer....but I think doing so is a waste of time considering the evidence I already gathered insupport of my case was pretty strait forward, or so I thought - a letter from the mental heath provider that initiated my medical separation - describing in detail her how my illness is directly connected and as a result of combat.

So I guess that’s a first closed door for me. Either way, just wanted to update the forum for everyones future reference.
Do not give up. Your letter above stating that PTSD was due to a rocket attack is pretty straight forward. Fight man.

Get your Congressman involved. There are pro-bono lawyers out there just for this.

Do not let Monday morning quarterbacking illiterates beat you. Your career ended because you stayed in and served faithfully. You are not asking for anything that has not been duelly earned. It is the law. Our Government should not have CRSC if they are not prepared to follow through on their own programs.

Think of how many welfare recipients and college students receive benefits they have done nothing for. Fight Brother. You have nothing to lose.
 
Definitely don't give up! I'm waiting for my initial results now. Got the email about my package being received on the 12th so I have a bit to wait. Hopefully I sent them all the stuff they need.
 
Do you have any combat badges or documentation detailing the conflict in which the PTSD was initialed from. From my understanding, you will need to provide proof that you were actively engaged in combat or injured by an "instrument of war" not just in a combat environment.
 
Definitely don't give up! I'm waiting for my initial results now. Got the email about my package being received on the 12th so I have a bit to wait. Hopefully I sent them all the stuff they need.
Do you have any combat badges or documentation detailing the conflict in which the PTSD was initialed from. From my understanding, you will need to provide proof that you were actively engaged in combat or injured by an "instrument of war" not just in a combat environment.
Have a look at what was posted above.
 
So....
I finally got the decision letter back from the reconsideration and it’s the same; 10% Tinnitus, 0% PTSD.
(Except now, it’s ‘PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder’ - the original notification from first go-around (pictured above) was only ‘PTSD’)
The only option I have left is submit an appeal to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (as advised in the notification letter) and probably get a lawyer....but I think doing so is a waste of time considering the evidence I already gathered insupport of my case was pretty strait forward, or so I thought - a letter from the mental heath provider that initiated my medical separation - describing in detail her how my illness is directly connected and as a result of combat.

So I guess that’s a first closed door for me. Either way, just wanted to update the forum for everyones future reference.

Seems to me, from what I can tell, you should have been awarded CRSC based on PTSD. It may be that I/we don't have all the facts to see what is really going on.
 
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