CAS3
10-24-03, 01:46 AM
This is a memo from my office regarding Combat Related Compensation
1.) Phase-In of Full CR for 50% and above. Retirement-qualified members of the uniformed services who are eligible for V A disability compensation based on a service-connected disability rated 50 percent or higher to receive full VA disability compensation without a reduction in retired pay during the eleventh year after a ten-year transition program. In the case of a member who receives a disability retirement, retired pay to be reduced, but only to the extent that the member's retired pay exceeds the amount of retired pay to which the member would have been entitled based solely on the member's years of service.
2.) Benefits During Calendar Year 2004- The provision would provide the following amounts to disabled retirees effective January 1, 2004. Members with a disability rated as total would receive $750 per month.
Members rated 90 percent disabled would receive $500 per month. Members rated 80 percent disabled would receive $350 per month. Members rated 70 percent disabled would receive $250 per month. Members rated 60 percent disabled would receive $125 per month. Members rated 50 percent disabled would receive $100 per month.
3.) Transition During Calendar Years 2005-2013 -The provision would reduce for each retiree the difference between the amount of retired pay received the previous year and full concurrent receipt by 10 percent during 2005, 20 percent during fiscal year 2006, 30 percent during 2007, 40 percent during 2008, 50 percent during fiscal year 2009, 60 percent during 2010, 70 percent during 2011, 80 percent during 2012, and 90 percent during 2013, respectively. During calendar year 2014, all retirees with a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or higher would receive their entire retired pay and VA disability compensation.
4.) Coordination of Benefits -Uniformed services retirees may not be paid both Combat-Related Special Compensation authorized in section 1413a of Title 10, United States Code and benefits under this provision. Retirees who qualify for both programs would be given the option to choose the program that provides the greatest benefits.
5.) Revisions to CRSC Program -Coverage under CRSC would be extended to all retirees with combat related disabilities, regardless of the level of disability rating. Coverage will include service-members who are retired from a reserve component with 20-years of service regardless of their rating level.
6.) Establishment of a Commission A 13 member Commission will be established to review the current VA disability system and make recommendations to ensure the system adequately compensates veterans for
disabilities that may be incurred as a result of service and to determine what should be done with regard to longevity retirees rated less than 50% disabled.
7.) Effective Date -The provisions of the legislation would be effective January l' 2004.
1.) Phase-In of Full CR for 50% and above. Retirement-qualified members of the uniformed services who are eligible for V A disability compensation based on a service-connected disability rated 50 percent or higher to receive full VA disability compensation without a reduction in retired pay during the eleventh year after a ten-year transition program. In the case of a member who receives a disability retirement, retired pay to be reduced, but only to the extent that the member's retired pay exceeds the amount of retired pay to which the member would have been entitled based solely on the member's years of service.
2.) Benefits During Calendar Year 2004- The provision would provide the following amounts to disabled retirees effective January 1, 2004. Members with a disability rated as total would receive $750 per month.
Members rated 90 percent disabled would receive $500 per month. Members rated 80 percent disabled would receive $350 per month. Members rated 70 percent disabled would receive $250 per month. Members rated 60 percent disabled would receive $125 per month. Members rated 50 percent disabled would receive $100 per month.
3.) Transition During Calendar Years 2005-2013 -The provision would reduce for each retiree the difference between the amount of retired pay received the previous year and full concurrent receipt by 10 percent during 2005, 20 percent during fiscal year 2006, 30 percent during 2007, 40 percent during 2008, 50 percent during fiscal year 2009, 60 percent during 2010, 70 percent during 2011, 80 percent during 2012, and 90 percent during 2013, respectively. During calendar year 2014, all retirees with a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or higher would receive their entire retired pay and VA disability compensation.
4.) Coordination of Benefits -Uniformed services retirees may not be paid both Combat-Related Special Compensation authorized in section 1413a of Title 10, United States Code and benefits under this provision. Retirees who qualify for both programs would be given the option to choose the program that provides the greatest benefits.
5.) Revisions to CRSC Program -Coverage under CRSC would be extended to all retirees with combat related disabilities, regardless of the level of disability rating. Coverage will include service-members who are retired from a reserve component with 20-years of service regardless of their rating level.
6.) Establishment of a Commission A 13 member Commission will be established to review the current VA disability system and make recommendations to ensure the system adequately compensates veterans for
disabilities that may be incurred as a result of service and to determine what should be done with regard to longevity retirees rated less than 50% disabled.
7.) Effective Date -The provisions of the legislation would be effective January l' 2004.