COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL COMPENSATION (CRSC)

CRSC is part of a legislative initiative designed to restore a

veteran's military retirement pay that has been offset (reduced) by VA compensation when the veteran's disabilities

are combat-related. CRSC was enacted by Congress through Public Law 107-314, dated 2 December 2002, and later

expanded under Public Law 108-136, dated 24 November 2003. The Air Force Combat-Related Special Compensation

(CRSC) program is managed by the USAF Physical Disability Division of the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC). 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 inservice

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.

Original Source [AFRNS]

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

Military spouses now have a larger scholarship pool to

draw from thanks to a new partnership between the National Military Family Association (NMFA) and Fisher House

Foundation. Military spouses have helped NMFA demonstrate the need for additional resources for spouse education

and this collaboration will enable the Association to expand the NMFA Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse

Scholarship Program, to many more deserving spouses. These scholarships are awarded to military spouses to obtain

professional certification or to attend post secondary or graduate school. Scholarships normally range from $500 to

$1,000 and may be used for tuition, fees, and school room and board. Spouses of uniformed service members (active

duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees, and survivors) of any branch or rank are eligible to apply. Applications are

accepted online January 1 through February 29, 2008. For more information about the NMFA Joanne Holbrook Patton

Military Spouse Scholarship Program or to sign-up to receive education updates, visit www.nmfa.org/scholarship, or

contact the Base Education Offices.

VA INCREASES TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ELIGIBLE VETERANS

The 2008 VA Appropriations Act provided funding so the VA could increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. The increase went into effect Feb. 1. This means eligible veterans will see their mileage

reimbursement more than double for travel to VA medical facilities. This increase helps veterans - especially those

living in rural areas - offset some of their gas costs as they travel to VA health care facilities.

While increasing the payment, the law required the VA also to increase the deductible amounts applied to certain

mileage reimbursements. The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one-way trip, $15.54 for a round-trip, with a maximum of

$46.62 per calendar month. However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.

NOTIFY DFAS OF LIFE-CHANGING EVENTS

Participants in the Survivor Benefit Plan should contact the

Defense Finance and Accounting Service in writing immediately upon a beneficiary’s death, a remarriage or divorce, or

when they acquire another child. Send a copy of the appropriate document to DFAS, US Military Retirement Pay, PO

Box 7130, London KY 40742-7130.

If a retiree was not married on the date of retirement, he or she has one year to add the first spouse he or she marries

after retirement to the Survivor Benefit Plan. A written request must be received by DFAS before the first anniversary

of the marriage. For more information contact the SBP counselor at the nearest Air Force installation.

CRSC EXPANSION RULES PLACE CLAIMS "ON HOLD

With the signing of the FY2008 National Defense

Authorization Act, the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program has been expanded to include those

medically retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 with less than 20 years of service, effective January 1, 2008. Other than

expanding the current guidance to disability retirees with less than 20 years of service, officials stated that CRSC

eligibility remains the same. Personnel officials, reiterated that the Services will accept new applications; however, the

applications will be placed on temporary "hold" pending receipt of DoD guidance. DoD officials are currently updating

the CRSC guidance and are hopeful to have the guidance out by the end of February. We expect the CRSC application,

DD form 2860, will need to be updated. Therefore, in the interim, Service officials ask that Chapter 61 retirees with less

than 20 years of service annotate "Chapter 61" in Sec II 8a or b.

Original Source [AFRNS]