Congress approves retiree money

  • Published
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Some military retirees will soon be receiving monthly payments for service-related health problems thanks to a provision of the 2003 National Defense Authorization Act.

Combat-related special compensation allows some disabled military retirees to collect payments for both their military service and their service-related disability.

The number of people qualifying may be larger than the term "combat related" implies.

According to the legislation, a veteran with "combat-related" disabilities is any 20-year military retiree with at least a 60 percent combined disability rating. His or her injuries are a "direct result of armed conflict," are a result of "hazardous" military service, were incurred while serving in "conditions simulating war" or were incurred "through an instrumentality of war."

Automatic qualifiers include any military retiree with at least 20 years of service who is rated as at least 10 percent disabled by injuries related to the award of a Purple Heart, officials said.

Payments are retroactive to June 1 for those whose disability occurred before that date. Those who apply and are approved will begin receiving payments about 60 days after approval. Depending on the number of applicants, approval could take months, officials said.

Thousands of applications already await approval in the disabilities office here, with more arriving every day, officials said.

"This is a good deal for some of our veterans," said Col. Larry Van Buren, who is heading up the reviews. "This authority granted by Congress will help veterans in a meaningful way."

Family members are not factored into determining the amount of the monthly payment. The compensation is payable only to those considered disabled by Veterans Affairs.

To qualify, retired Reserve applicants must have retired with 7,200 or more total points.

Information and applications are available at base military personnel flights or online at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/crsc/. Air Force applicants can print and send the application and any supporting documentation to:

United States Air Force, Disability Division (CRSC), 550 C Street West Suite 6,

Randolph AFB TX 78150-4708.

Appropriate supporting documentation includes, but is not limited to the following:

-- Department of Defense Form 214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty.

-- Air Force Form 356, Findings and Recommended Disposition of USAF Physical Evaluation Board.

-- Retirement orders.

-- Purple Heart citation and orders.

-- Any documentation indicating combat-related findings.

-- Assignment or temporary duty orders.

-- Medical records.

-- Any VA disability rating decisions made within the last year.

More information is available by calling the Air Force Contact Center toll free at (866) 229-7074, commercial (210) 565-5000 or DSN 665-5000. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)