Calculation Help

Please HELP- let me preface by saying that I don't need accurate numbers and specifics- but if you could just read the whole post- I would really appreciate any input!!

My incredible husband is currently hospitalized for the 4th time in 8 months with CPTSD, and other mental health issues. He is now being medically retired. How incredible that he keeps asking for help? He is just the best human that is sooooo hard on himself. I need some extra support. MadDog has been amazing, but I lost his info in a phone change.

Here are some Facts:
He is a prior service Marine- Deployed during the Invasion in 2003​
He got out of the Marines- and eventually joined the Army National Guard in our current State​
He has over 20 years for pay and Reserve time​
He was promoted to E8 October of 2020 ( the stress of this is the stressor event triggered his CPTSD)​
He is being medically retired- His Active Duty Retirement Date would be 3/2023​
He has claimed many conditions to the VA for rating. All appointments are on hold as he is hospitalized until at least next Monday.​
Here are my questions- we are fighting about specifics of $$$$ and I want to make sure I can give him accurate information. He is convinced that it is possible that he will get as low as $1000 per month.​
He is being Med Retired- sub 20 years- we know he cannot get concurrent payments for Retirement and VA disability. Can you please break down what payments calculations he can expect to see? I KNOW IT DEPENDS ON SO MUCH! I dont want an exact amount- I only want to be able to set his mind at ease that he will have at least some income.​
Let us assume his current base pay is $5095. Lets also assume that he will have a VA rating of 80% ( Combat PTSD and various other ratings we are working to connect to his original Gulf War Deployment)​
I've explained to him that I UNDERSTAND the calculation as the following​
$5095X 75% ( assuming the ratings) = $3821.25 DOD medical retirement benefit​
If he qualifies for VA disability at ( lets just say 80%) His VA disability payment would be $1991.00​
I know that he cant get both. (I believe he may qualify at the age of retirement- as he could retire as a reservist now???) So the one would be moved from Column A into Column B, primarily to have some tax benefits? But that he would still receive the SUM of $3821.25 , from two different sources???? (IF THIS SCENARIO was totally accurate- but I know it wont be) He is telling me that he can only qualify for some disability- and he isnt calculating any Medical Retirement at all for some reason. Hes stating that he only can depend on the VA disability amount and he doesnt qualify for the Medical retirement amount? He says that he has been told this from many "experts"​
He is profoundly struggling- I know he doesnt want to take boots off like this- but I think if he knew he would have more than a couple hundred bucks per month for his service, it would help. He is in the hospital now- I think he is doing better. I am proud that he is getting help- I just want to be able to support him and advocate for him with good and accurate information. I dont need to be able to tell him how much money he WILL get- I just need to be able to tell him that it will not be $800 a month and a slap on the butt.​
With Gratitude,​
J​
 
Good morning J, I’m a medically retired Guardsman, I was AD too. So, yes he will not qualify for CRDP until retirement age from my understanding. But, he can apply for CRSC for the CPTSD, and receive both VA and CRSC also it’s tax free, I recently applied in May and got my decision approval on Jun, but I will keep you updated on how the pay goes.
 
My incredible husband is currently hospitalized for the 4th time in 8 months with CPTSD, and other mental health issues. He is now being medically retired. How incredible that he keeps asking for help?

Here are some Facts:
He is a prior service Marine- Deployed during the Invasion in 2003​
He got out of the Marines- and eventually joined the Army National Guard in our current State​
He has over 20 years for pay and Reserve time​
He was promoted to E8 October of 2020 ( the stress of this is the stressor event triggered his CPTSD)​
He is being medically retired- His Active Duty Retirement Date would be 3/2023​
He has claimed many conditions to the VA for rating. All appointments are on hold as he is hospitalized until at least next Monday.​
Here are my questions- we are fighting about specifics of $$$$ and I want to make sure I can give him accurate information. He is convinced that it is possible that he will get as low as $1000 per month.​
He is being Med Retired- sub 20 years- we know he cannot get concurrent payments for Retirement and VA disability. Can you please break down what payments calculations he can expect to see? I KNOW IT DEPENDS ON SO MUCH! I dont want an exact amount- I only want to be able to set his mind at ease that he will have at least some income.​
Let us assume his current base pay is $5095. Lets also assume that he will have a VA rating of 80% ( Combat PTSD and various other ratings we are working to connect to his original Gulf War Deployment)​
I've explained to him that I UNDERSTAND the calculation as the following​
$5095X 75% ( assuming the ratings) = $3821.25 DOD medical retirement benefit​
If he qualifies for VA disability at ( lets just say 80%) His VA disability payment would be $1991.00​
I know that he cant get both. (I believe he may qualify at the age of retirement- as he could retire as a reservist now???) So the one would be moved from Column A into Column B, primarily to have some tax benefits? But that he would still receive the SUM of $3821.25 , from two different sources???? (IF THIS SCENARIO was totally accurate- but I know it wont be) He is telling me that he can only qualify for some disability- and he isnt calculating any Medical Retirement at all for some reason. Hes stating that he only can depend on the VA disability amount and he doesnt qualify for the Medical retirement amount? He says that he has been told this from many "experts"​
Hello @so_mage

Using your info:
Let us assume his current base pay is $5095. Lets also assume that he will have a VA rating of 80% ( Combat PTSD and various other ratings we are working to connect to his original Gulf War Deployment)​
I've explained to him that I UNDERSTAND the calculation as the following​
$5095X 75% ( assuming the ratings) = $3821.25 DOD medical retirement benefit​
If he qualifies for VA disability at ( lets just say 80%) His VA disability payment would be $1991.00​
I know that he cant get both. (I believe he may qualify at the age of retirement- as he could retire as a reservist now???) So the one would be moved from Column A into Column B, primarily to have some tax benefits? But that he would still receive the SUM of $3821.25 , from two different sources???? (IF THIS SCENARIO was totally accurate- but I know it wont be) He is telling me that he can only qualify for some disability- and he isnt calculating any Medical Retirement at all for some reason. Hes stating that he only can depend on the VA disability amount and he doesnt qualify for the Medical retirement amount? He says that he has been told this from many "experts​
======
Comments:
[Note: I did not check your math nor verify the VA comp amount you used. Current base pay is NOT used...the total of his highest 36 months of pay divided by 36 is the high three and it will be used instead of final pay.]
1. His retirement pay will be reduced by the amount of his VA compensation. 3821.25 minus 1991 = 1830.25 residual retired pay​
2. The amount remaining (residual retired pay) he gets to keep.​
3. He will also receive all his VA compensation’​
4. If he is not eligible for another type retirement at this time, that is all he will receive UNLESS he is eligible for CRSC.​
5. CRSC (Combat Related Special Compensation) if approved by the service concerned, can replace some or all of the reduction (waiver/VA offset) mentioned at item one. However, the combination of residual retired pay and CRSC cannot exceed the longevity portion of his retirement.​
A collection of CRSC info is at: A Supplement to CRSC Information <---LINK​
6. The same ceiling would apply to CRDP at age 60 if he becomes eligible for a reserve retirement at that time.​
7. The longevity portion of retirement is determined by:​
--Since he is a reservist, total creditable points divided by 360 = active duty equivalent​
--Active duty equivalent x 2.5% (2% if he is in the blended retirement program) = longevity multiplier​
--Longevity multiplier x average high three base pay = longevity portion of retirement​
8. His active duty equivalent will be show on on his orders under "Disability Retirement."​
9. His residual retirement pay, large when compared to many, might preclude additional funds via CRSC. The same would apply to CRDP at age 60 is he is otherwise qualified.​
* The combination of residual retired pay and CRSC cannot exceed the longevity portion of his retirement.*​
10. His PEBLO and reserve unit should be able to answer most of his questions​
Ron​
 
Last edited:
Hello @so_mage ,

CRSC Estimate

The following is needed for someone to compute your CRSC in the PEB forum:
Needed within one reply:
1.--Average high three for basic pay (total of the highest 36 months of pay divided by 36) As an alternative (and better) cite the gross retired pay on the most recent DFAS RAS. Indicate which you are furnishing.
2.--DoD disability percentage
3. --Active duty years and months (or active duty equivalent for RC members—total creditable points divided by 360)
4. --VA compensation
percentage;
amount;
dependents by category;
and ages of dependent children.
Also provide information pertaining to any SMCs you receive.

5.--Projected or approved CRSC percentage by your service.
6.--Whether you qualify for another type retirement and whether you transitioned to the blended retirement system
7.--Did you receive a REDUX/CSB payment?
8.--Did you accept the Blended Retirement program option?
Edited to add: *The combination of residual retired pay and CRSC cannot exceed the longevity portion of his retirement.*
Ron
 
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