DEAR ABBY: Please alert your readers to a program that has been established to help military retirees who have service-connected disabilities. Congress has authorized special compensation to help offset military retirement pay that is forfeited in order to receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
This program began June 1, 2003. It is called Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). The program is only for those who have at least 20 years of military service and who have combat- or operations-related disabilities. This includes any disability that resulted in award of a Purple Heart, or conditions rated by the military or the VA as 60 percent to 100 percent disabling, and caused by combat or combat/operations-related events.
Abby, I hope you'll publicize this important program to help compensate disabled military retirees who have given so much to this nation while protecting our freedoms. -- VICE ADM. NORBERT R. RYAN JR. USN (RET.)
DEAR VICE ADM. RYAN: I'm pleased to help spread the word. I'm sure many retired veterans will be grateful for your letter.
Military retirees: To find out more about CRSC and how and where to apply for the program, contact the retiree affairs office at the nearest military installation or go to the Department of Defense Web site at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/crsc.