[Hello From The Ozarks]

Hi everyone. I have used hadit.com several weeks and I have found it to be the best source of info for fighting the VA.

My claim has been settled for some time but I help others whenever I can.

My claim went through like a textbook case. I filed in April 05, and received 60% in Sept. 05. I immediately filed the NOD

and received 100% the following Jan. 06. Zero to 100% in one year. But.... I submitted nearly 100 items of evidence, including photographs, 17 statements, and all medical evidence I could scrape up. I took a while to get them, but I even got my medical records from Basic Training at Ft Jackson in 1972.

I have been very disappointed with the assistance (or lack of) from the DAV. I am helping my son with his claim. We have visited the DAV office several times. We receive little more than the same old stock answers. Most of the reps act quite indifferent. Twice we visited and they (DAV) said they had no record of his claim. This is not a real confidence builder. For the most part they have been useless. We were told many times "Not to go it alone". I'm telling you that is precisely what we are doing, even though the DAV will be listed as our representative.

My son has a BVA hearing in the morning and as usual, the DAV has been silent.

I'm not trying to pick on the DAV. I'm just relating my experience. My father was 100% from WWII. He told me to stay with the DAV.

I'm 100% from ODS. My son is 60% from OIF. We are trying to break the cycle of violence.

Good luck friends

[Dfas Crdp]

Ok, I got it. My retirement pay (taxable) is taken away. It is replaced by an equivalent amount non-taxable. Makes sense.

nice benefit. This is a great country.

[Dfas Crdp]

thanks Manitou,

I think I can use your formula as a road map to figure out my position concerning CRSC. That is more info than I got anywhere else. Looking at those service years..I'm guessing you had 2 tours in Nam and at least one for Desert Storm.

Out, Here

quote name='Manitou Sprgs' date='Dec 10 2007, 12:53 PM' post='70875']

I'm not sure if I understand your question, but here is some information that pertains to me that might help.

1. I am a military retiree for service (i.e., 20-plus years)

2. I currently have a 40 percent rating from the VA.

3. My military pay is currently reduced by $501 and I receive $501 from the VA.

4. Of my 40 percent VA rating, 20 percent is combat zone related. The 20 percent makes me eligible for CRSC. When and if I apply for CRSC, I would receive the value of 20 percent for CRSC plus the value of 20 percent VA rating (with a corresponding offset from military retirement pay). In other words, my gross total pay would increase by the value of a 20 percent rating. The last I heard, CRSC is non-taxable AND is paid out of military retiree funding, NOT VA funds.

5. My effective date for CRSC would be the date I was VA-rated for the 20 percent for combat-related disability.

6. I possibly will be eligible for CRDP (quite confusinig and unimaginative of the program manangers of CRSC and CRDP to use similiar terminology for the two programs) if my NOD is approved and brings my total rating to 50 percent. CRDP is also paid out of military retirement accounts (not VA) and my effective date would be the date I was rated at 50 percent or more.

Hope this helps...

[Dfas Crdp]

Question: I am 100% from VA. I will be eligible for reserve retirement at age 60 (20 year letter). I am now 55.

disability was granted for PTSD (100%), another 50% for other conditions. All combat related to Desert Storm.

Is reserve pay automatically reduced because of my VA pay? Reserve retirement for me will only be about 1400 a month.

Is CRSC "extra" pay or just intended to make up the difference in the retirement pay reduction? This is extremely confusing.

I get a different answer every time when I call reserve retirement in St Louis. Any info appreciated.

Thanks,

BH

Do I understand that the VA payment is actually the offset they were taking to the Mil retirement pay?

The part of the rating and its EED date that made the retiree eligible for CRDP or CRSC?

[200 Million Still Unpaid]

I agree that many potentially have a VA claim in limbo that could alter their CRDP/CRSC amount or their annual election of one or the other.

Have you formally applied with DFAS or are you waiting for your VA comp to be resolved.

[200 Million Still Unpaid]

Hello,

I'm trying to determine if I'm eligible for CRSC. I am 100% DAV from Desert Storm. I am also a gray area reserve retiree

(20 yr letter) with 24 yrs and 3000 pts. 55 years old. I retired from reserve system in 2001.

I also took disability retirement from the USPS in 2005 and receive SS Disability. Do these other incomes have any effect on CRSC?

Any help appreciated.

[Prepare For Video Bva Hearing]

Thanks to cloudcroft, Berta, Pete 53,Stretch. I got a lot of info. I think he has a great chance for a substantial increase.

We took him to VA emergency room the night of the suicide attempt. He was under watch all night. All of his alcohol treatment has been through the VA. He took off from his job for a month(FMLA) for alcohol treatment. He was fired about two weeks after his return to work.

All of this happened after the case was decided. Again thank you. The information I received from this forum will be a tremendous help.

BH

[Prepare For Video Bva Hearing]

In the VC (Video Conference) waiting room waiting for my VC hearing, there was a small 19" TV with a tape of what to expect in the VC hearing.

After waiting about 30 minutes, the vet in front of me had finished with his VC, and I was called to the VC room next.

Expect a 25" TV set with a web cam attached, about 10 feet in front of your table, in the VC room. The table has two chairs with a few other chairs on the side. It takes about 3 months for the judge to make a decision, so there will be plenty of time to introduce any new evidence used in the hearing.

The judge didn't ask any questions. I took my laptop, with all my presentation setup in Power Point, as there was a 120V wall plug in the room. I talked for quite a long time. The judge was very patient with my clumsiness.

I forgot to mention my meds and their side-effects during the hearing. The tape, in the waiting room, showed that the guy brought each of his meds, in the bottles; explained each med; what he was taking them for and meds side effects.

The setup was very informal with no one else in the room except my relative and myself.

My relative would mention things, when I left out something out or got off track. I could see that the judge had my 12" high C-File there propping up his left arm and using his arm for a head rest. I didn't have a VSO.

I was very angry at having to travel 3 hours, to this hearing, but I was not disrespectful except for pressing the judges tolerance with my lengthy talk. You will have as much time as you need so don't rush.

I asked for transcripts at the end of the hearing. Next time I will be prepared and organized a little better. I kept rambling all over the place.

I was successful.

[Prepare For Video Bva Hearing]

I need information on how to best prepare for a video hearing at our VARO. Also any information on what to expect, chances of success, so forth would be helpful. I will be making a statement for a young OIF veteran. He was granted 30% for PTSD on the first claim, however, he has had considerable difficulty since then. A suicide attempt, alcohol treatment, and a job termination have all occurred since the initial rating. Will the Board consider this new evidence? Or...will they remand back to the VARO for reconsideration?