The Air Force Combat-Related Special Compensation program is managed by the USAF Physical Disability Division of the Air Force Personnel Center. The CRSC board is made up of former military and civilian personnel whose experiences include war-time duties, flying duties and medical training. The review board conducts a detailed analysis of your application to determine if in-service evidence exists to confirm your conditions were the direct result of a combat-related event or injury. If so, the board will authorize a special monthly payment to you called CRSC.

COMBAT RELATED DISABILITIES

Department of Defense guidance defines a combat-related disability in one of the three following ways:

1. A Purple Heart disability, which is a disability with an assigned medical diagnosis code from the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities, or VASRD, that was attributed to injuries for which the member was awarded a Purple Heart.
2. One with an assigned medical diagnosis code from the VASRD that was:
   * incurred as a direct result of armed conflict;
   * as a result of hazardous service;
   * in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or
   * through an instrumentality of war.
3. One with an assigned medical diagnosis code from the VASRD that was deemed presumptive or “presumed” by the VA to be incurred as a result of combat operations.

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APPLYING FOR CRSC

To apply for CRSC, you must first determine your eligibility; then complete an application for CRSC, using DD Form 2860,Application for Combat-Related Special Compensation.

CRSC APPROVAL

Once CRSC claims are approved, AFPC will send approval documents to both you and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. DFAS will then calculate and begin CRSC payments within 60 to 90 working days of receiving the approval letter.

CRSC UPDATES

Agent Orange
Regulation Takes Effect for 3 More Agent Orange-related Diseases: As of October 30, 2010, eligible Vietnam-era Veterans exposed to herbicides and disabled by chronic b-cell leukemias, Parkinson’s disease, or ischemic heart disease, may begin receiving disability and health care benefits on approved claims. Vietnam Veterans may apply for disability compensation for these diseases using VA’s Fast Track Claims Processing System.

Veterans with Thailand Service: Vietnam-era Veterans who served in Thailand on or near the perimeters of military bases may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits. Learn more ….

Chapter 61 Updates
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was signed into law on Jan. 28, 2008. Guidance to implement this program was received June 9, 2008. It expanded the eligibility of CRSC to include anyone receiving military retired pay. This includes Medical Chapter 61, Temporary Early Retirement Act (TERA) and Temporary Disabled Retirement List (TDRL) retirees. These new eligible components for CRSC went into effect Jan. 1, 2008. Medical and TERA retirees must still provide documentation that shows a causal link between a current VA disability and a combat-related event. To apply, individuals need to complete a DD Form 2860 with the required documentation attached. For more information, call 1-800-525-0102, Option 5, Option 1.

Combat-Related Special Compensation
CRSC is part of a legislative initiative designed to restore a veteran’s military retirement pay that has been offset (reduced) by Veterans Affairs compensation when the veteran’s disabilities are combat-related. CRSC was enacted by Congress through Public Law 107-314, Dec. 2, 2002, and later expanded under Public Law 108-136, Nov. 24, 2003.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay
CRDP is similar to CRSC. It is also designed to restore military retired pay that has been offset by Veterans Affairs compensation; however, there is no combat-related requirement for this pay. To be eligible, you must have a total disability rating from the VA of 50 percent or more. CRDP is automatic, so no application is needed, but payments are on a phased-in schedule.The Defense Finance and Accounting Service manages this program.

Air Force Tuition Assistance Payment
The maximum amount paid for Tuition Assistance: 100% Tuition and Fees
Not to exceed:

• $250 @ Semester Credit Hour, or
• $166 @ Quarter Credit Hour, and
• $4500 @ Fiscal Year

Application Process of Air Force Tuition Assistance
You must apply for Tuition Assistance online using the Air Force Virtual Education Center. This must be done through the Air Force Portal at https://www.my.af.mil/. There are six steps to completing the AFVEC online TA process.
The Fine Print

You will be unable to apply online for Air Force Tuition Assistance if the following applies to you:

• Missing grades over 60 days from course end date.
• Suspense dates that have expired.
• Missing personal data in the education record including: Phone, DOS, DOB, Unit, Office Symbol, Mailing Address, Email Address, base, and Education Level.
• Requesting TA for courses that start more than 30 days into the future.
• Requesting TA for courses that have already started.
• Requesting TA for lower level courses which are less than highest ed level awarded.
• No degree plan in records.
• TA is not authorized for courses leading to a lateral or lower level degree than you already possess (i.e. Second Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree).

CCAF Exception

• TA will be provided for a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) degree regardless of your current education level.
• TA will be provided for a civilian college associate degree even if you have a CCAF associate degree provided you do not possess a civilian associate or higher degree.
• You are no longer required to obtain your supervisor’s signature on your TA form; however, you are expected to discuss your schedule with your supervisor to ensure that participation has his/her support.

Additional Information about Air Force Tuition Assistance

After you have completed your tuition assistance form and registered for class, you may still drop/change courses without penalty as long as you notify both the base education center and the school. If you drop a course after the drop/ add period, you must still notify the base ed center and the school but you are liable for the cost of tuition, unless you qualify for waiver of tuition assistance reimbursement.

If you receive a grade of incomplete from a school, you have as much time as the school allows you to clear the incomplete or 12 months from the end of the term, whichever comes first, to clear the incomplete. If you fail to provide a grade that clears the incomplete by that time, we are obligated to recover the tuition assistance.

Congress has given each branch of the military the ability to grant TA benefits, even up to full coverage of fees and expenses, to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. Each service has its own criteria to determine such factors as eligibility, obligated service, application processes and restrictions.

Here’s a brief overview of programs available through each branch of the Armed Forces:

Air Force Tuition Assistance – Candidates must apply online using the Air Force Virtual Education Center (www.my.af.mil). There are a total of six steps to complete the process.

The Army Continuing Education System has introduced a new automated service that enables active duty soldiers to request TA and also sign up for courses online. This method expedites the enrollment process and decreases the wait time at Army Education Centers.

The Navy Tuition Assistance Program: After obtaining educational information from your Navy College office, which is where you will also complete your application, you can determine which courses will be requested for TA funding. To enroll in classes, you will need a signature from your commander.

Marine Tuition Assistance: Prior to using tuition assistance, first-time students are required to complete a TA orientation class. Marines at remote locations can access the course online. All others should visit their Lifelong Learning or Education Office at your local base. You must apply for and receive written authorization for assistance before enrolling.  Education4military.com offers military tuition assistance.

The Coast Guard: After approving the TA application, the Coast Guard Institute (CGI) inputs all the data into the Navy’s computer database and issues the TA Authorization form. The applicant then takes the form to the school at the time of registration, and that particular institution will bill the Navy for the government’s portion of tuition assistance. It’s important to note that the Coast Guard only approves academic credit programs for TA. For questions and further assistance, contact the CGI.

National Guard Tuition Assistance: The Army National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance (ARNG FTA) has a limited budget and therefore can not guarantee benefits to its members. Instead, it is offered on a “first come, first served” basis. For on online application, visit the National Guard Virtual Armory website.

Although not all states offer payment of TA to member of the Air National Guard (ANG), many have additional tuition incentives which are available in various amounts. To find out what benefits your state offers, visit the Air National Guard ANG Benefits website.

Air Force Tuition Assistance for Activated Guard and Reserve: Quite simply, if activated, you will become eligible.

Finally, remember that TA is not a loan. Look at it as money you have earned, just like your base pay.

For additional information about military tuition assistance, please visit http://www.military.com/money-for-school/tuition-assistance/tuition-assistance-ta-program-overview.

The below chart shows the current reenlistment bonus multipliers authorized. The rates are effective as of November 2009.

Reenlistment bonuses are subject to change. For updated information, see your local Military Personnel Flight (MPF) or unit career advisor. Reenlistment Bonus Cap is $90,000.

Zone A – The muliplier shown in the “Zone A” column is for those who reenlist when they have between 17 months and six years of active service.

Zone B – The multiplier shown in the “Zone B” column is for those who reenlist when they have between six and 10 years of active service.

Zone C – The multiplier shown in the “Zone C” column is for those who reenlist when they have from 10 to 14 years of active service.

Zone E – The muliplier shown in the “Zone E” column is for those who reenlist when they have from 18 to 20 years of active service.

The amount awarded for an SRB is computed as follows:

The member’s base pay multiplied by the indicated bonus multiplier, times number of years (or fraction of year) reenlisting for.

50 percent of the re-enlistment bonus is paid in a lump-sum at the time of re-enlistment. The remainder is paid in annual installments during the re-enlistment period. Re-enlistment bonuses are subject to Federal income tax, unless the member re-enlists in a designated combat zone. In that event, the entire bonus is tax-free. Whether or not the re-enlistment bonus is subject to state tax depends on the laws of the state that the military member has selected as his/her legal residence.

Source: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcebonuses/l/blreenbonus.htm