What happens if you get retirement pay but are eligible for VA disability?
You may be eligible for either Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) and Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)
CRDP is a DOD program that lets some individuals receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation.
To qualify for CRDP, veterans must:
- Have a VA service-connected rating of 50% or more
- Be retired from military service based on longevity, including temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) retirees; or
- Be retired under Chapter 61 with 20 or more qualifying years of service; or
- Be retired from National Guard or Reserve service with 20 or more qualifying years; and
- Be eligible to receive retired pay (must be offset by VA payments).
You don't need to apply for this benefit. Payment is coordinated between VA and DFAS.
For more information see our CRDP details page.
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
CRSC is a DoD program that provides tax-free monthly payments to eligible retired veterans who have combat-related disabilities. With CRSC, veterans can get both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation for combat related disabilities.
To qualify for CRSC, veterans must:
- Be a military retiree.
- Be entitled to and/or receiving military retired pay.
- Have a compensable service-connected disability.
In addition, the veteran must be able to provide evidence that their disabilities were the result of one of the following:
- Training that simulates war (e.g., exercises, field training)
- Hazardous duty (e.g., flight, diving, parachute duty)
- An instrumentality of war (e.g., combat vehicles, weapons)
- Armed conflict (e.g., gunshot wounds, Purple Heart)
Disabilities related to in-service exposure to hazards (e.g., Agent Orange, Gulf War illnesses, radiation exposure) for which VA awards compensation are also considered combat-related for CRSC purposes.
For more information, see our CRSC details page.
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