Enacted by Congress on December 2, 2002, the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program restores military retired pay to eligible retired veterans with Service Connected Disabilities, that have been determined to be Combat Related.
Congress later established the “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016,” which provided further clarification of eligibility for members of the Coast Guard for combat-related special compensation. Eligibility expanded to include disabilities incurred during aviation duty, diving duty, rescue swimmer or similar duty, and hazardous service duty onboard a small vessel (such as duty as a surfman)—
(A) in the performance of duties for which special or incentive pay was paid pursuant to section 301, 301a, 304, 307, 334, or 351 of title 37, United States Code;
(B) in the performance of duties related to a statutory mission of the Coast Guard under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of section 888(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(a)), including—
(i) law enforcement, including drug or migrant interdiction;
(ii) defense readiness; or
(iii) search and rescue; or
(C) while engaged in a training exercise for the performance of a duty described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B).
With the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 on December 23, 2022, Congress further expanded Coast Guard eligibility for CRSC to cover exposures to hazardous materials or chemicals. An occupational exposure to hazardous materials is defined as:
An exposure, either acute or over prolonged periods, to specific chemicals, particulates, or physical agents, which result in a disabling condition. Materials include but are not limited to: asbestos, benzene, heavy metals, noise, radiation, respiratory sensitizers, and mixed solvents.
Enrollment in the Occupational Medical Surveillance and Evaluation Program (OMSEP) is not a requirement for eligibility, but in such cases where not monitored, the burden of evidence is on the applicant to provide supporting documentation of occupational exposure.