Blog Post

IAVA and NVLSP partner on combat-related special compensation
Posted by Jason Hansman on June 8 2012

IAVA and the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) are pleased to announce the creation of a joint project to help IAVA members obtain Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). Congress created this benefit in 2008 to provide certain veterans who suffer from combat-related disabilities with hundreds of dollars per month in additional tax-free compensation and supplement compensation they are already receiving from VA or the military.

To be eligible for CRSC, the veteran must either have been permanently retired by the military for disability or placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL). To receive this benefit, a veteran must submit a detailed application and supporting documents proving that one or more of the veteran’s service-related disabilities are “combat-related.”

Under the new project, NVLSP will screen information provided by IAVA members who contact NVLSP and, if they qualify, connect them with one of the hundreds of volunteer attorneys whom NVLSP has trained to represent applicants for CRSC through their Lawyers Serving Warriors® program. The volunteer attorney will then assist the veteran in completing and submitting a CRSC application to the appropriate military service branch. No IAVA member will be charged a fee for these services.

To be eligible for free legal assistance on a CRSC application through NVLSP, IAVA members must currently be (1) permanently retired for disability or on the TDRL; (2) entitled to service-connected disability compensation from the VA; and (3) believe that one or more of the disabilities that have been service-connected by the VA are combat-related. To confirm your service as an IAVA Member, visit www.iava.org/membership.

According to the 2008 statute authorizing CRSC, disabilities are “combat-related” if they were incurred:

• a direct result of armed conflict (e.g., gun shot wounds)
• through an instrumentality of war (e.g., combat vehicles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
• under conditions simulating war (e.g., war games, live fire exercises) or
• while engaged in hazardous service (e.g., demolition, parachute duty). To request assistance with a CRSC application, IAVA members should visit http://iava.org/crsc.

ABOUT NVLSP

The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is an independent, nonprofit veterans service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1980. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 25 million veterans and active duty personnel by providing them the federal benefits they have earned through their service to our country. NVSLP offers training for attorneys and other advocates, connects veterans and active duty personnel with pro bono legal help, publishes the nation’s definitive guide on veterans’ benefits, and represents and litigates for veterans and their families before the VA, military discharge review agencies, and federal courts. For more information go to www.nvlsp.org.

Get Involved

In just the last year, IAVA has connected hundreds of veterans with employers through innovative career fairs, helped over 10,000 veterans go to college on the New GI Bill, and provided mental health support to over 50,000 veterans—all at no cost to Member Veterans. Programs like these are only made possible through your generous support. Fight for those who fought for us and help us keep these resources and benefits completely free for new veterans and their families. DONATE >>

Not an IAVA member yet? What are you waiting for?! IAVA Member Veterans get access to exclusive career fairs, events and tickets. Join up today--membership is free and all you have to do is submit proof of OIF/OND/OEF status.

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