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1 [1] (February 2, 2026)

handle is hein.crs/govetgp0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Updated February 2, 2026 Defense Primer: Concurrent Receipt of Military Retirement and VA Disability Concurrent receipt refers to a veteran's simultaneous receipt of two types of monetary benefits: military retired pay, and veteran disability compensation. Prior to 2004, existing laws and regulations stipulated that a military retiree could not receive both payments concurrently. As a result, military retirees with disabilities recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would incur a retired pay offset (i.e., dollar-for-dollar reduction) by the amount of their VA compensation. The FY2003 and FY2004 National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs) authorized, for the first time, two separate and distinct concurrent receipt benefits, Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC), and Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP). An eligible retiree cannot receive both Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) and Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). To be eligible for concurrent receipt under these programs all recipients must be eligible for both (1) military retired pay and (2) VA disability compensation. An eligible retiree cannot receive both CRDP and CRSC. The retiree may choose whichever is most financially advantageous to him or her and may change benefit election during an annual open season. Table I. Comparison of CRSC and CRDP CRSC CRDP Classification Special Military retired compensation pay Qualified Combat-linked Service-connected disabilities disabilities disabilities Federal taxation Nontaxable Taxable Claim process Apply to branch Automatic of service Source: CRS, derived from Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Concurrent Retrement and sabity Pyents(RP CRDP was first authorized in the FY2004 NDAA (P.L. 108-136, §641), and was phased in over a 10-year period between 2004-2013. CRDP is sometimes referred to as restored retired pay, as it exempts certain members from the offset of VA payments normally required under 38 U.S.C. §§5404 and 5405. Under this offset, a retiree is required to waive retired pay in the amount of VA disability compensation they are eligible to receive. As VA disability compensation is nontaxable, waiving retired pay generally provides a net financial benefit. Disability ratings are awarded in 10% increments. CRDP authorizes military retirees with at least a 50% service- connected disability as rated by VA to receive full military retired pay and VA disability compensation without offset (see Figure 1). There are currently two groups of retirees who are not eligible for CRDP benefits. The first group is non-disability military retirees with service-connected disabilities (not combat-related) that have been rated by VA at 40% or less. The second group includes disability (Chapter 61) retirees with service-connected disabilities and fewer than 20 years of service (YOS). Figure I. CRDP Eligibility Flowchart CRDP Eligibility y !sA t, y 61 re tiee m dir il oO, r u RA mu re ,pn o R J Source: CRS analysis of statute. Notes: Member refers to a retired member of the Armed Forces. Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) refers those retired with less than 20 YOS under a force management authority. Combat-Reated Spec al Compensation CRSC is considered special compensation and not restored retired pay. Under CRSC, the retired pay offset still applies to receive VA disability compensation; however, CRSC reimburses the member for some, or all, of the offset. The amount of CRSC depends on the percentage of the disability that is combat-related (CRSC rating) and may not exceed the reduction in retired pay. These factors make the calculation of CRSC more complex than CRDP, as every veteran's situation may be different. It may be easiest to think of the total CRSC benefit as three separate payments: (1) military retired pay minus VA disability payment based on VA rating; (2) VA disability payment based on VA rating; (3) CRSC payment based on the combat-related portion of disability rating as determined by the parent service.