A bit late, but I need some assistance with CRSC and CH 61 Medical Retirement.

[michael.collins01]

I am Ch 61 retiree. I was Med boarded back in 2015. I medically retired on July 1, 2015.

I was medically retired at 90% US Army disability retirement with 17y 04m 11d. My base pay is for 26y 0m 10d. I retired as O3E. I receive 100% from VA. I currently have the VA offset for the total amount of the 100%.

At retirement I was advised that i did not qualify for CRSC. Now with the Pact Act Presumptive conditions, I believe I am.

One of my conditions that I receive is a 60% rating for restricted airway disease which was originally rated as 10% environmental asthma from my deployment in Iraq 2007-08.

Question I need assistance on is:
1. Do I qualify for CRSC?
2. Do I need to submit a Pact Act claim for this already awarded service connected condition before I submit a claim for CRSC?
3. Should I get help from my VSO? I have not used any assistance before.
4. How does the Major Star Act affect my situation?

Thanks in advance for your assistance and consideration to my questions.

V/r

Michael

 

[Provis]

I am Ch 61 retiree. I was Med boarded back in 2015. I medically retired on July 1, 2015.

I was medically retired at 90% US Army disability retirement with 17y 04m 11d. My base pay is for 26y 0m 10d. I retired as O3E. I receive 100% from VA. I currently have the VA offset for the total amount of the 100%.

At retirement I was advised that i did not qualify for CRSC. Now with the Pact Act Presumptive conditions, I believe I am.

One of my conditions that I receive is a 60% rating for restricted airway disease which was originally rated as 10% environmental asthma from my deployment in Iraq 2007-08.

Question I need assistance on is:
1. Do I qualify for CRSC?
2. Do I need to submit a Pact Act claim for this already awarded service connected condition before I submit a claim for CRSC?
3. Should I get help from my VSO? I have not used any assistance before.
4. How does the Major Star Act affect my situation?

Thanks in advance for your assistance and consideration to my questions.

V/r

Michael

#1. More than likely.
#2. Just apply for CRSC. Your branch will list the items need to be approved such a VA code sheet, VA award Letters DD214's etc.
#3. Its pretty simple for CRSC especially for presumptive conditions that are PACT Act related.
#4. It doesn't. Not approved and all that does is allow you to get all the money lost from the VA offset up to the total between the value of your longevity pension + VA compensation. If approved it mainly helps those who were approved for CRSC but their CRSC% wasn't high enough to restore 100% of the money lost due to the VA offset. The more years AFS you have the more your earned pension is worth that you are losing out of due to the VA offset.

I would apply for CRSC with your branch. Do you have a 20 year letter? That would be your backup to get concurrent receipt at eligible age in the future. If you can max out CRSC then you don't need to worry about that even if that is an option for you.

 

[michael.collins01]

Thanks for the advice. I contacted my VSO and they didn't think I would get CRSC because they were advised that DFAS and the Military completed audits of all CH 61 recieptants to verify if the Pact Act would apply to them. If the Pact Act did, they would approve the CRSC payment. Since I had not received any CRSC payments, the VSO believes that an audit was completed and I am not entitled to it.

I do have a 20 year letter. Once my age reaches 58y and 6m, I can switch to the that and receive concurrent pay.

 

[Provis]

Thanks for the advice. I contacted my VSO and they didn't think I would get CRSC because they were advised that DFAS and the Military completed audits of all CH 61 recieptants to verify if the Pact Act would apply to them. If the Pact Act did, they would approve the CRSC payment. Since I had not received any CRSC payments, the VSO believes that an audit was completed and I am not entitled to it.

I do have a 20 year letter. Once my age reaches 58y and 6m, I can switch to the that and receive concurrent pay.

I wouldn't trust that information. I would apply for chapter 61. What branch are you in? The Army is the most lenient. My wife applied for CRSC and included all of her VA award letters. She was awarded CRSC for some conditions she didn't even apply for! So there is no downside to applying and seeing what happens!!!

 

[michael.collins01]

I served in the Army. I am working on downloading all my awards and DD214 letters now. I called Army HRC and their computer system was down. I was advised that it will be back up tomorrow. I plan to submit the packet by the end of the week. Hopefully I will be successful.

 

[RetiredColonel-MikeT]

Thanks for the advice. I contacted my VSO and they didn't think I would get CRSC because they were advised that DFAS and the Military completed audits of all CH 61 recieptants to verify if the Pact Act would apply to them. If the Pact Act did, they would approve the CRSC payment. Since I had not received any CRSC payments, the VSO believes that an audit was completed and I am not entitled to it.

I do have a 20 year letter. Once my age reaches 58y and 6m, I can switch to the that and receive concurrent pay.

First, your VSO is VERY wrong, not surprising. Second, careful on the last line I highlighted. If you're dependent upon your Tricare (Prime or Select doesn't matter), you'll be in for a surprise: you will end up paying for the Tricare Reserve Retiree, which is basically COBRA and might not even be worth switching over at 58 1/2. I could have switched when I was 52 1/2 but the cost difference far outweighed sticking to the Ch 61 retirement. I'll be 60 next month so we'll see what I'll get under CMRP (formerly known as CRDP). Also, since you're currently drawing your Ch 61 retirement, your reserve retirement pay will be based on your pay scale when retired. Yup, DFAS pulled another fast one on us reserve compo folks back in 2022. Another reason why I'm now waiting to see what I'll get.

Do you currently have any DOD residual from your Ch 61 retirement (I wasn't 100% sure)? Your CRSC + residual + VA cannot exceed your CMRP amount, i.e., take your length of service cap + VA compensation. The good thing is that a lot of folks who don't have a residual AND have their 20-year letter actually end up better off staying with CRSC + VA if they're maxed out than switching to CMRP, if you follow what I'm saying.

You retired 28 days before me, seems the Army got rid of a couple good Mikes that month LOL

 

[michael.collins01]

First, your VSO is VERY wrong, not surprising. Second, careful on the last line I highlighted. If you're dependent upon your Tricare (Prime or Select doesn't matter), you'll be in for a surprise: you will end up paying for the Tricare Reserve Retiree, which is basically COBRA and might not even be worth switching over at 58 1/2. I could have switched when I was 52 1/2 but the cost difference far outweighed sticking to the Ch 61 retirement. I'll be 60 next month so we'll see what I'll get under CMRP (formerly known as CRDP). Also, since you're currently drawing your Ch 61 retirement, your reserve retirement pay will be based on your pay scale when retired. Yup, DFAS pulled another fast one on us reserve compo folks back in 2022. Another reason why I'm now waiting to see what I'll get.

Do you currently have any DOD residual from your Ch 61 retirement (I wasn't 100% sure)? Your CRSC + residual + VA cannot exceed your CMRP amount, i.e., take your length of service cap + VA compensation. The good thing is that a lot of folks who don't have a residual AND have their 20-year letter actually end up better off staying with CRSC + VA if they're maxed out than switching to CMRP, if you follow what I'm saying.

You retired 28 days before me, seems the Army got rid of a couple good Mikes that month LOL

Thanks for the information. I was curious on the difference of the two retirements would be once I get close to the decision date. The information you provided me about switching is very useful. I will be honest, I was not aware that I would switch to Tricare Reserve Retiree insurance. That is a big difference.

I do have residual pay. I currently have get $6,187 (Net) for my military pay, minus $3,831.39 (100% VA), with net of $1,953 residual. After SBP and taxes total is $1,875.47.

So I unsure what is my length of service cap? Is this my 26y 0m for total pay or my 17y 4m of active time?

 

[Provis]

Thanks for the information. I was curious on the difference of the two retirements would be once I get close to the decision date. The information you provided me about switching is very useful. I will be honest, I was not aware that I would switch to Tricare Reserve Retiree insurance. That is a big difference.

I do have residual pay. I currently have get $6,187 (Net) for my military pay, minus $3,831.39 (100% VA), with net of $1,953 residual. After SBP and taxes total is $1,875.47.

So I unsure what is my length of service cap? Is this my 26y 0m for total pay or my 17y 4m of active time?

Your cap is 17y, 4m. That is your earned longevity pension. Calculate your pay for that retirement earned and add it to your total VA pay. That total is the most you can get and is a ceiling for CRSC since CRSC is there to recoup money lost due to the VA offset. If your gross chapter 61 retirement is higher than that total you are maxed out and regardless of the CRSC percentage your pay for CRSC will be zero.

 

[michael.collins01]

I think I got it.
17.25 * 2.5%=43.13%
6,187 * 43.13% = $2668.14

Another question, I have gather many of my documents to include Va Decisions Letters, DD214/215, My PEB Orders, and Medical documents used during my VA Comp Board and the PEB Board. However I can not find my PEB Fm 199. I am continuing to look for it. I am waiting on HRC CRSC website to come back online to get CRSC Questionnaire and Instructions to the DD Fm 2860.

Do I send a copy my complete medical file that was used during this process to the CRSC? Do I mail it or send it electronically?

Do I only send medical documentation for the service connected disabilities?

My 2008 VA Decision Letter letter awards me with 10% Environmental Asthma. It states I started to have breathing issues while in Iraq and I was seen at the treatment facility. The condition got worse and by the PEB in 2015, my VA Decision Letter changes the Environmental Asthma from 10% to 60% Restricted Airway Disease. I have the supporting VA documents and Army medical treatment records. Do I just send in these documents?

Sorry for so many questions. I am just trying to ensure I am not missing anything.

Thanks is advance to everyone that is helping, I do appreciate all of the assistance.

 

[RetiredColonel-MikeT]

Thanks for the information. I was curious on the difference of the two retirements would be once I get close to the decision date. The information you provided me about switching is very useful. I will be honest, I was not aware that I would switch to Tricare Reserve Retiree insurance. That is a big difference.

I do have residual pay. I currently have get $6,187 (Net) for my military pay, minus $3,831.39 (100% VA), with net of $1,953 residual. After SBP and taxes total is $1,875.47.

So I unsure what is my length of service cap? Is this my 26y 0m for total pay or my 17y 4m of active time?

I only know this from personal experience and doing some deep research back in 2016/2017 when I was about to become eligible. I'm glad I didn't pull that trigger! There has been bills introduced into Congress to fix that screw up, but I haven't seen any traction on it at all. I would have gotten $12-1400 more per month and TRR would have eaten that all up for myself and my family. Yeah, nah, not worth switching.

I think I got it.
17.25 * 2.5%=43.13%
6,187 * 43.13% = $2668.14

Another question, I have gather many of my documents to include Va Decisions Letters, DD214/215, My PEB Orders, and Medical documents used during my VA Comp Board and the PEB Board. However I can not find my PEB Fm 199. I am continuing to look for it. I am waiting on HRC CRSC website to come back online to get CRSC Questionnaire and Instructions to the DD Fm 2860.

Do I send a copy my complete medical file that was used during this process to the CRSC? Do I mail it or send it electronically?

Do I only send medical documentation for the service connected disabilities?

My 2008 VA Decision Letter letter awards me with 10% Environmental Asthma. It states I started to have breathing issues while in Iraq and I was seen at the treatment facility. The condition got worse and by the PEB in 2015, my VA Decision Letter changes the Environmental Asthma from 10% to 60% Restricted Airway Disease. I have the supporting VA documents and Army medical treatment records. Do I just send in these documents?

Sorry for so many questions. I am just trying to ensure I am not missing anything.

Thanks is advance to everyone that is helping, I do appreciate all of the assistance.

No worries on the number of questions, we understand completely lol. For the RAD, you just need to submit your VA Ratings Decision memos, and a source document showing you were in Iraq or any of the other geographic areas as listed in the VA Presumptive's list.

You do NOT submit your complete record. Just the initial encounter of treatment documentation, such as ER visit, sick call, MEDEVAC reports, etc.

Don't worry if you cannot find your DA199.

And yes, just service-connected conditions. Sorry that I answered these out of order

 

[michael.collins01]

I have gather the following documents to be submitted for my CRSC packet:

My packet includes the following documentations:

• DD Fm 2860. Claim for Combat-Related Special Compensation form.
• DA Fm 199. Informal Physical Evaluation Board (PRB) Proceedings.
• Order D 147-36, dtd 27 May 2012. Retirement for Permanent Physical Disability
• Memo, dtd 27 May 2015. Permanent Physical Disability Retirement.
• Order 166-1014, dtd 13 June 2015. Separation Order.
• NGB Fm 23B. Army National Guard Retirement Points History Statement.
• DD Fm 214(s) and DD Fm 215(s). Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty
  • Active Duty DD214 from 22 June 1989 to 13 Nov 2000.
  • Active Duty DD214 from 1 June 2007 to 25 May 2008 (OIF Deployment).
  • Active Duty Report (DD Fm 220) from 3 Aug 2008 to 31 Oct 2008
  • Active Duty DD214 and DD215 from 1 Nov 2008 to 30 Sep 2009.
  • Active Duty DD214 and DD215 from 26 July 2010 to 30 Sep 2011.
• Order 143-308, dtd 25 May 2007. MOB orders for OPN Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
• Order 117-552, dtd 26 June 2007. Deployment Order for Temporary Duty in Iraq.
• DA Fm 2166-8, dtd Mar 2006. NCO Evaluation Report covering Deployment in support of OIF. Period covered 20070801 to 20080731 (12 months)
• Order 267-003, dtd 23 September 2007. Combat Action Badge Award.
• Department of Veterans Affairs Rating Decisions:
  • Rating Decision, dtd December 18, 2000
  • Rating Decision, dtd May 28, 2009 for service-connected for Environmental Asthma at 30%
  • Rating Decision, dtd October 25, 2013
  • Rating Decision, dtd April 03, 2014
  • Rating Decision, dtd 03/19/2015 for Evaluation of restrict airway disease (PEB referred, also claimed as Asthma, PREVIOUSLY RATE AS ENVIRONMENTAL ASTHMA, DC: 6602, AT 10 PERCENT DISABLING), Which is currently 30 % Disabling is increase to 60%
• Medical and health supporting Records from 20 Nov 1998 to 20 Aug 2009 for the above service connection conditions.

Any suggestions or insight before I mail the packet off? I am open to suggestions and comments.

 

[Jesusej19]

The information you are sending appears to be in order. When you mail it, I recommend sending it next day via USPS with a confirmation, as that is what I did. After that, give it approximately two days and call to confirm that someone has received it. Good luck