I assumed I wasn't eligible for CRSC, but now I think I may be due to the PACT Act

Hello @TallTree

1. The approved CRSC rates are the same found in the VA compensation tables.

2. The longevity portion of retired pay is: active duty equivalent x 2.5% (2% for blended retirement) = longevity multiplier
average high three base pay x longevity multiplier = longevity portion of retired pay

3. CRSC for a CH 61 retiree is the lesser of item one or item two.

4. The combination of residual retired pay and CRSC cannot exceed the longevity amount.

Ron

Edited to add: retired pay minus VA comp amount = residual retired pay
 
Wait, am I misunderstanding something?

My total DoD pension is $5342.00 (it was $5117, or 70% of my high-three, when I separated last year, but thanks to inflation it's gone up), my VA disability pay is $4072.12, so does that mean my "residual retired pay" is simply the difference between the two? $1044.88?

With your formula, since I did opt-in to the blended retirement system, I come up with the following: My high-three was $7310, my time in service was 12.1 years, so using the blended retirement system factor of .02, then my longevity multiplier is .24, so my longevity retirement pay is actually .24 * 7310 = $1754.40.

So if my longevity amount of $1754.40, then what you're saying is that my CRSC disability pay would be a maximum of whatever it takes to add to my residual retired pay of $1044.88 to reach $1754.40? In other words, my CRSC would be capped out at $709.52? I'm certainly not complaining about my situation, but I think I severely misunderstood how CRSC is calculated. In that case, all I need to do is apply for CRSC under my sleep apnea due to chronic bronchitis with the PACT Act, and that'll max me out.
 
Hello,

I did not re-work your computation, but…

”So if my longevity amount of $1754.40, then what you're saying is that my CRSC disability pay would be a maximum of whatever it takes to add to my residual retired pay of $1044.88 to reach $1754.40? In other words, my CRSC would be capped out at $709.52? I'm certainly not complaining about my situation, but I think I severely misunderstood how CRSC is calculated. In that case, all I need to do is apply for CRSC under my sleep apnea due to chronic bronchitis with the PACT Act, and that'll max me out.”

Yes, that is correct.

Ron
 
RonG said:
Hello,

I did not re-work your computation, but…

”So if my longevity amount of $1754.40, then what you're saying is that my CRSC disability pay would be a maximum of whatever it takes to add to my residual retired pay of $1044.88 to reach $1754.40? In other words, my CRSC would be capped out at $709.52? I'm certainly not complaining about my situation, but I think I severely misunderstood how CRSC is calculated. In that case, all I need to do is apply for CRSC under my sleep apnea due to chronic bronchitis with the PACT Act, and that'll max me out.”

Yes, that is correct.

Ron
Click to expand...
Replying to my own remarks:

No matter what strategic maneuvers are used, the maximum you will receive is:
1. All your VA compensation from VA
Plus
2. 1754.40 from the DFAS ( could be two separate payments)

Actually, the amount from DFAS could be decreased if you have a very low CRSC approval’

I have used your figures in this explanation.

Ron
 
Your new retired pay $5342.00/70% = 7631.43 high three base pay currently, post COLAs

12.1 active duty equivalent is not 12 years and one month. 1/12 = 0.083

12 years and one month = 12.083

Ron
 
TallTree said:
I managed to get my VA code sheet. Based on my numbers (12.1 years of service, high-three of $7310, longevity factor .3025), my longevity retirement pay is $2211.28 and based on my dependent situation, that means I need 70-80% combat related disability to max it out (please correct me if I'm wrong). 70% disability is $1,977.06, 80% is $2,292.15. My code sheet is rather lengthy, but I think with the PACT Act and my background as a pilot wearing unique flight gear, I'm going to apply with the following as either armed combat or hazardous duty (flying military jets).

6600-6847 OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA WITH CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
Service Connected, Gulf War, Incurred
Static Disability
50% from 06/23/2022
(Armed Combat--PACT Act dictates that chronic bronchitis is now presumptive due to burn pits, and I've spent far too much time the middle east)

7806 DERMATITIS WITH PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS BARBAE AND MELASMA
Service Connected, Gulf War, Incurred
Static Disability
30% from 06/23/2022
(Hazardous Duty--I was diagnosed with this due to the sweaty neoprene seal from wearing my space suit helmet on 8-12 hour missions, although I'm not sure if that's what my medical records say)

5237 STRAIN, LUMBOSACRAL SPINE
Service Connected, Gulf War, Incurred
Static Disability
10% from 06/23/2022
(Hazardous Duty--I don't think I have any active duty records about this one, but the VA accepted my claim that it was due to sitting in a cramped cockpit on an ejection seat for 8-12 hour missions)

5299-5284 ACCESSORY NAVICULAR SYNDROME, RIGHT FO
Service Connected, Gulf War, Incurred
Static Disability
10% from 06/23/2022
(Armed Combat? Hazardous Duty? I don't know if this one would stick, but my flight doc said it was aggravated from wearing my flight boots)

6260 TINNITUS
Service Connected, Gulf War, Incurred
Static Disability
10% from 06/23/2022
(Hazardous Duty--being in that goddamn space helmet for so long listening to the jet engines and respirator)

7399-7346 GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)
Service Connected, Gulf War, Incurred
Static Disability
10% from 06/23/2022
(Hazardous Duty--I really hope my flight doc documented that he gave me ranitidine for missions because breathing the pure oxygen gave me wild heartburn)

I have no idea what will stick, but I might as well try. Now I'm just waiting on my medical records.
Click to expand...
How did you obtain your VA code sheet?
 
RonG said:
Hello @TallTree

1. Ref: “You need to apply through DFAS, where your retirement comes from.” That is preposterous, DFAS has zero medical records and has no control of medical records maintained elsewhere. Additionally, DFAS does not make combat related decisions; the service concerned (CRSC branch) does that upon application.

2. @RetiredColonel-MikeT might be able to direct you to a source for the records you want.

Good luck,
Ron

Edited to add from TRICARE:
  • If you retired or separated after Jan. 1, 2014, paper copies of your Service Treatment Records (STRs) were digitized following your retirement or separation from the Armed Forces. If your STRs don’t contain information classified as sensitive, they’ll be available via your Patient Portal, either TRICARE Online or MHS GENESIS.
    • To request a complete copy of your health record, you’ll need to submit a Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF 180) to the applicable organization as identified on the form. Requests can also be made in person to your last home military hospital or clinic.
Click to expand...

Pretty much what I was going to say, @RonG - the problem is that there's very little rhyme or reason when being digitized, unfortunately. It *SHOULD* contain the full STR, however, just like the VA records themselves, it's not always the case. When we were separating folks, a copy of their record when to HOR, and a copy went to St Louis and probably ended up in a warehouse somewhere waiting to catch fire. My STR is 3 volumes, 75% of that from the last two and a half years during treatment and IDES. Luckily, one of the last few things we did when out-processing at that time was to go to the base hospital's medical records section and request a copy of the STRs on digits. It's a fucked up system no matter how you dice it, I haven't checked my Tricare records to see what they have, I'm just happy to have my hardcopy.
 
TallTree said:
I emailed my local VSO, and they replied back with it within a few hours.
Click to expand...
Nice. I guess I need to have my wife add one. Which one did you use? I personally used Amvets but they are very hard to get a hold of.
 
Provis said:
Nice. I guess I need to have my wife add one. Which one did you use? I personally used Amvets but they are very hard to get a hold of.
Click to expand...
Just my county's VSO. I've worked with them in the past, they actually helped me file the sleep apnea with chronic bronchitis claim.
 
RonG said:
Hello @TallTree

1. Ref: “You need to apply through DFAS, where your retirement comes from.” That is preposterous, DFAS has zero medical records and has no control of medical records maintained elsewhere. Additionally, DFAS does not make combat related decisions; the service concerned (CRSC branch) does that upon application.

2. @RetiredColonel-MikeT might be able to direct you to a source for the records you want.

Good luck,
Ron

Edited to add from TRICARE:
  • If you retired or separated after Jan. 1, 2014, paper copies of your Service Treatment Records (STRs) were digitized following your retirement or separation from the Armed Forces. If your STRs don’t contain information classified as sensitive, they’ll be available via your Patient Portal, either TRICARE Online or MHS GENESIS.
    • To request a complete copy of your health record, you’ll need to submit a Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF 180) to the applicable organization as identified on the form. Requests can also be made in person to your last home military hospital or clinic.
Click to expand...
Sir- I have had the same exact issues obtaining my records for both Medical through blue button as well as my TRAVEL PAY Records. DFAS laughed at me- they told me that they do not have access to any travel pay records or travel orders. (My DD214 is incorrect and states I have NO FOREIGN DUTY- even though I was Aircraft Maintenance 5 years and then Enlisted Aircrew 15years with 3 years deployed for Bosnia and 3 years for A-Stan!!) I have to PROVE now that I deployed. My SF-50 is incorrect and shows I have ZERO Foreign Duty or Combat Time.

SO--- Fighting for CRSC now as well- the Combat Time and Connection of the Presumptive Gulf War related issues is a vicious cycle. I have tried National Personnel Records, Archives, VA, DFAS, AF Personnel Records Center--- Everyone puts their finger on their nose and says NOT IT...

I do need to 'talk' to one of you that are experts in CRSC to see if it is even worth my head banging effort to obtain these records to apply for CRSC. I had no idea that I could have requested CRSC.

VSOs- they mean well- but they have no clue... I do not want to hire an attorney to help- because yes, this is very overwhelming for me. I already suffer on a day to day basis and it is hard for me to put all of these things together. (I used to be able to juggle 20 things at once and now I can barely function on a day to day basis) I just do not know WHO I can talk to help guide me through this. It would impact my life in so many ways- and I do not want to screw it up.

With the ongoing discussions in Congress to eliminate the Concurrent Receipt for (50% or Higher) 100% VA P/T and my retirement pay- I'm really nervous.

Wendi
 
wendim said:
Sir- I have had the same exact issues obtaining my records for both Medical through blue button as well as my TRAVEL PAY Records. DFAS laughed at me- they told me that they do not have access to any travel pay records or travel orders. (My DD214 is incorrect and states I have NO FOREIGN DUTY- even though I was Aircraft Maintenance 5 years and then Enlisted Aircrew 15years with 3 years deployed for Bosnia and 3 years for A-Stan!!) I have to PROVE now that I deployed. My SF-50 is incorrect and shows I have ZERO Foreign Duty or Combat Time.

SO--- Fighting for CRSC now as well- the Combat Time and Connection of the Presumptive Gulf War related issues is a vicious cycle. I have tried National Personnel Records, Archives, VA, DFAS, AF Personnel Records Center--- Everyone puts their finger on their nose and says NOT IT...

I do need to 'talk' to one of you that are experts in CRSC to see if it is even worth my head banging effort to obtain these records to apply for CRSC. I had no idea that I could have requested CRSC.

VSOs- they mean well- but they have no clue... I do not want to hire an attorney to help- because yes, this is very overwhelming for me. I already suffer on a day to day basis and it is hard for me to put all of these things together. (I used to be able to juggle 20 things at once and now I can barely function on a day to day basis) I just do not know WHO I can talk to help guide me through this. It would impact my life in so many ways- and I do not want to screw it up.

With the ongoing discussions in Congress to eliminate the Concurrent Receipt for (50% or Higher) 100% VA P/T and my retirement pay- I'm really nervous.

Wendi
Click to expand...
How about buddy statements? There is more than one way to prove you were deployed. Also, are there no medical records from when you did deploy? If you could get a hold of someone you served with there and maybe some leadership that was there that would help. There should be some paper trail. Are there no orders for you to go there?
 
RonG said:
Hello @TallTree

1. Ref: “You need to apply through DFAS, where your retirement comes from.” That is preposterous, DFAS has zero medical records and has no control of medical records maintained elsewhere. Additionally, DFAS does not make combat related decisions; the service concerned (CRSC branch) does that upon application.

2. @RetiredColonel-MikeT might be able to direct you to a source for the records you want.

Good luck,
Ron

Edited to add from TRICARE:
  • If you retired or separated after Jan. 1, 2014, paper copies of your Service Treatment Records (STRs) were digitized following your retirement or separation from the Armed Forces. If your STRs don’t contain information classified as sensitive, they’ll be available via your Patient Portal, either TRICARE Online or MHS GENESIS.
    • To request a complete copy of your health record, you’ll need to submit a Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF 180) to the applicable organization as identified on the form. Requests can also be made in person to your last home military hospital or clinic.
Click to expand...
Sir- I have had the same exact issues obtaining my records for both Medical through blue button as well as my TRAVEL PAY Records. DFAS laughed at me- they told me that they do not have access to any travel pay records or travel orders. (My DD214 is incorrect and states I have NO FOREIGN DUTY- even though I was Aircraft Maintenance 5 years and then Enlisted Aircrew 15years with 3 years deployed for Bosnia and 3 years for A-Stan!!) I have to PROVE now that I deployed. My SF-50 is incorrect and shows I have ZERO Foreign Duty or Combat Time.

SO--- Fighting for CRSC now as well- the Combat Time and Connection of the Presumptive Gulf War related issues is a vicious cycle. I have tried National Personnel Records, Archives, VA, DFAS, AF Personnel Records Center--- Everyone puts their finger on their nose and says NOT IT...

I do need to 'talk' to one of you that are experts in CRSC to see if it is even worth my head banging effort to obtain these records to apply for CRSC. I had no idea that I could have requested CRSC.

VSOs- they mean well- but they have no clue... I do not want to hire an attorney to help- because yes, this is very overwhelming for me. I already suffer on a day to day basis and it is hard for me to put all of these things together. (I used to be able to juggle 20 things at once and now I can barely function on a day to day basis) I just do not know WHO I can talk to help guide me through this. It would impact my life in so many ways- and I do not want to screw it up.

With the ongoing discussions in Congress to eliminate the Concurrent Receipt for (50% or Higher) 100% VA P/T and my retirement pay- I'm really nervous.

Wendi
Provis said:
How about buddy statements? There is more than one way to prove you were deployed. Also, are there no medical records from when you did deploy? If you could get a hold of someone you served with there and maybe some leadership that was there that would help. There should be some paper trail. Are there no orders for you to go there?
Click to expand...
I don't think that will work for CRSC. But it may work for the SF50
 
Just so everyone knows, I called my last AD clinic and requested a CD of my entire medical history... and they delivered. Now I have thousands of pages to sift through to try and find what I'm looking for.
 
It has EVERYTHING, including things I didn't know about, like I totally forgot I had a mole removed to test for skin cancer
 
So with my medical records in hand, I think I'm only going to apply for my skin condition. Here's what one of my annual physical health assessments says about my seborrheic dermatitis, which is rated as DERMATITIS WITH PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS BARBAE AND MELASMA at 30%.

Pt states that he is experiencing a 1/10 around scalp and face. Pt states that the itching is due to the mask he wears while flying. Pt denies any change in diet or grooming routines.

...
Encounter Background Information: broke skin rashes in forehead, scalp after flying high last week in the areas where face seal has touched, itching still ongoing, denies latext or neoprene allergy. has been wearing U-2 helmet for 4 years. denies hx of seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea.
Skin lesion: diffuse redness and mild flakes in frontcal scalp, while flakes in both auricles.

...
Skin: diffuse erythema and mild desquamation flakes in frontoparietal scalp, while flakes in both auricles.
Click to expand...

I'm applying for this under "an instrument of war" because aircraft are included in that category, and I think my medical record is clear that it's because of my helmet. Has anyone gotten approved for CRSC under instrument of war? I'm curious what others have done.
 
Provis said:
How about buddy statements? There is more than one way to prove you were deployed. Also, are there no medical records from when you did deploy? If you could get a hold of someone you served with there and maybe some leadership that was there that would help. There should be some paper trail. Are there no orders for you to go there?
Click to expand...
Buddy statements are not acceptable except for the VA, however, Wartime Commander's statement or higher would be acceptable for CRSC for BH-related stuff and on rare occasions for physical injuries (I'm working a case now with that due to limited documentation). However, YMMV with your service branch.
 
TallTree said:
So with my medical records in hand, I think I'm only going to apply for my skin condition. Here's what one of my annual physical health assessments says about my seborrheic dermatitis, which is rated as DERMATITIS WITH PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS BARBAE AND MELASMA at 30%.



I'm applying for this under "an instrument of war" because aircraft are included in that category, and I think my medical record is clear that it's because of my helmet. Has anyone gotten approved for CRSC under instrument of war? I'm curious what others have done.
Click to expand...
Plenty, especially for conditions that were not on the presumptive list but were directly due to burn-pit exposures. Tinnitus is nearly always considered instrumentality, the exception would be due to VBIED/IED/mortar blast/etc as those would fall under armed conflict or PH depending what happened. The more to the left on the category the higher the order of precedence just like with awards, IMHO, of course :)
 
Tinnitis got approved, Dermatitis (for instrumentality of war due to aircraft helmets) was denied.

For your dermatitis to be approvable for compensation, clear documentation must be provided to indicate an injury/disability occurred and/or was caused by a specific combat-related factor rather than from routine causes or your particular physical make-up. Your claim and documentation received contained no definitive evidence to confirm this disability was the direct result of a combat-related event. This lack of evidence prevents consideration under current CRSC criteria.
Click to expand...

What's confusing to me is that I didn't point to a "specific combat-related factor" for tinnitis. I just included my diagnosis, which happened at my home station, and claimed it was caused due to an instrumentality of war. I did the same thing with dermatitis, but that was denied. I don't quite understand how they come to these conclusions. Tinnitis was likely caused by being around and flying in instruments of war; dermatitis was indeed caused by flying in an instrument of war.

But they also recomended I apply for Chronic Bronchitis:

While reviewing your claim, we noticed your chronic bronchitis may be eligible for CRSC. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently expanded benefits for service members who served in Southwest Asia theater of operations from 2 August 1990 to present or Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria and Uzbekistan, from September 19, 2001 to the present. If you have documentation (decoration, performance report, travel orders, etc.) confirming your deployment to one of these locations, please submit for reconsideration.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately for me, I don't think that'll result in anything. Although my actual rating is "Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Chronic Bronchitis" at 50%, the VA decision letter specifically says:

We have assigned a 50 percent evaluation for your obstructive sleep apnea
We have assigned a noncompensable evaluation for your chronic bronchitis
Click to expand...

Obviously it's worth it to apply. Worse than can say is no.
 
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