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Can you receive 100% VA disability and military retirement pay simultaneously?
Yes!
This post will help answer questions about VA disability and retirement pay and provide vital information to ensure you receive the VA compensation and benefits you deserve.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
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Can You Receive 100% VA Disability and Military Retirement Pay?
Yes, you may receive both 100% VA disability and military retirement pay only under certain circumstances.
You may qualify for CRDP under these guidelines:
- You are a regular retiree with a VA disability rating of 50% or higher.
- You are a reserve retiree with 20 years of service and a VA disability rating of 50% or higher and who has reached retirement age (60 in most cases).
- You are retired under the Temporary Early Retirement Act (TERA) and have a VA disability rating of 50% or higher.
Note: If you have a VA disability rating lower than 50%, your retirement pay will be reduced by the amount of VA compensation unless you qualify for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
What is Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay?
Before the CRDP program was launched in 2004, military veterans couldn’t receive both payments concurrently.
Back then, you were forced to choose between your retirement pay and VA compensation. It took CRDP ten years to be phased in and before veterans saw a reduction in their retirement pay to receive compensation.
What is Combat-Related Special Compensation?
CRSC was created to help veterans disabled due to combat receive more of their retirement pay as tax-free payments.
To qualify for CRSC, all of these must be true:
- You’re retired (and entitled to or receiving military retirement pay), and
- You have a VA disability rating of at least 10%, and
- You currently have your DoD retirement payments reduced by the amount of your VA disability payments
In addition, one of these must be true:
- You had 20 or more years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve, or
- You retired for medical reasons with a disability rating of at least 30% (under Chapter 61), or
- You’re covered under the Temporary Early Retirement Act (TERA), or
- You’re on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL), or
- You’re on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL)
If you qualify for CRSC, the VA will deduct disability benefits from your pension, but you will continue to receive your disability payment and get three checks:
- CRSC reimbursement pay
- Retirement pay less the CRSC amount
- VA compensation
Note: In some circumstances, you will only receive two checks for CRSC.
VA Claims for Combat-Related Special Compensation
VA Claims for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC), Get the Facts!
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to apply for Concurrent Retirement Pay?
No, if you retired after 2014, you will automatically be enrolled if you qualify for concurrent retirement pay.
Can I receive Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay back pay?
You may be eligible for retroactive back pay dating back to 2004 if your VA disability rating increased to 50% or higher and your retirement pay didn’t have the same increase.
How do I apply for CRSC?
Since CRSC isn’t a benefit, you don’t apply through the VA. Instead, you apply through your specific military branch, with the benefits paid by your branch of service. It’s important to act quickly if eligible for CRSC because there is a six-year statute of limitations to apply.Â
What’s the difference between CRDP and CRSC?
CRDP replaces your retirement pay that was reduced by your VA disability compensation back to full retirement pay. While, with CRSC, you will still see your military retirement pay offset by your VA disability pay but compensated for the amount that is offset monthly. In addition, you don’t apply for CRDP; however, you must apply for CRSC through your military branch of service.Â
NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?
Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and, therefore, not getting their due compensation. At VA Claims Insider, we educate you on how to take control of the claims process so you may get the rating and compensation you’re owed by law. If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating—or you’re unsure how to get started—reach out to us!
Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you in building a fully developed claim (FDC). Take advantage of a VA Claim Discovery Call. Learn what you’ve been missing—so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE!
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Quality Assurance Team
The Quality Assurance (QA) team at VA Claims Insider has extensive experience researching, fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy in all produced content. The QA team consists of individuals with specialized knowledge in the VA disability claims adjudication processes, laws and regulations, and they understand the needs of our target audience. Any changes or suggestions the QA team makes are thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the content by our writers and creators.
About the Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
