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According to the Military Officers Association of America, the Defense Department has told the military services to award Combat Related Special Compensation only for combat-related disabilities. This will speed up a backlog of applications awaiting a ruling about military retirees who the Department of Veterans Affairs has determined to be unemployable or who are eligible for special military compensation. However, such individuals whose determinations are not combat-related may continue to forfeit part of their retired pay in order to receive VA disability compensation.
Calling CRSC Boards Increases Wait TimeIn a statement relevant to all services, Air Force officials have stated that the current wait-time for applications for Combat Related Special Compensation is about three months from the date of submission to notification of approval or disapproval. This is due mainly to the large volume of applications received. Computer problems also have caused delays, although many of these have been resolved, causing officials to expect the flow of completed packages to improve. Regardless of delays, payments to approved applicants will be retroactive to June 1, 2003. Retirees who have not submitted their claims should include a copy of all VA paperwork regarding their disability rating and not just the initial notification from the VA, said Air Force officials. A lot of valuable time is being wasted responding to phone calls from individuals wanting to know the status of their personal claim, they said.
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