Report: Special combat-related pay underused

[unhappycamper]

Report: Special combat-related pay underused
Staff report
Posted : Monday Feb 11, 2008 7:31:20 EST

One-third of retirees eligible to get more money have not applied for the benefit, according to the Air Force Personnel Center, which says it has processed only 34,000 claims filed under the Combat-Related Special Compensation program since its inception in 2003.

Data shows there are more than 200,000 members receiving Air Force retired pay who also receive 10 percent or greater VA disability compensation today.

Retired airmen with service-related disabilities should contact AFPC to learn if they qualify.

Personnel officials expected an increase in claims after the benefit was expanded in 2003 to include all combat or combat-related disabilities rated as service-connected by the Department of Veterans Affairs at 10 percent or higher, but that increase has just not happened.

Although CRSC specifically addresses "combat-related" disabilities from armed conflict, retirees who developed disabilities aside from combat may also be eligible. Disabilities caused by exposure to Agent Orange, combat training, aircrew duties, war exercises, parachuting and munitions demolition potentially qualify for compensation under this program.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_combat_compensation_080211w/