Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) in Washington

To qualify for CRDP benefits, a veteran must meet strict federal requirements outlined in 10 U.S.C. section 1414. First, the veteran must have completed at least 20 years of active-duty military service and be entitled to receive military retirement pay. Second, the veteran must have received a VA disability rating from the VA of 50% or higher as determined under 38 U.S.C. section 1155. The disability does not need to be service-connected for retirement purposes—only the VA rating matters.

The effective date of CRDP eligibility is generally January 1, 2004, for those who met the requirements by that date. All service branches qualify: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. There is no time limit for applying; you can apply decades after retirement.

Surviving spouses and dependents do not directly receive CRDP, but they may be eligible for Survivors Pension or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if the veteran dies while in receipt of CRDP payments. Income and asset limits do not apply to CRDP; it is not a means-tested program. Former spouses may have division-of-benefits claims against military retirement pay, which is handled separately by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and does not affect VA disability compensation.

Under 38 C.F.R. section 3.814, a veteran cannot receive CRDP and Concurrent Automatic Continuance (CAC) simultaneously. Additionally, a veteran already receiving CRDP cannot also claim Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) for the same disability condition; only one program applies per rating decision.

CRDP payments in 2024 vary by VA disability rating and number of qualifying dependents. The following are monthly rates for 2024 (adjusted annually for COLA in December):

**Without Dependents:** - 50% rating: $4,138 - 60% rating: $5,298 - 70% rating: $7,053 - 80% rating: $8,288 - 90% rating: $9,304 - 100% rating: $11,407

**With One Dependent (spouse or child):** - 50% rating: $4,431 - 60% rating: $5,691 - 70% rating: $7,546 - 80% rating: $8,881 - 90% rating: $10,047 - 100% rating: $12,150

**Additional Dependent (each additional child):** - All ratings add $158–$281 per month depending on rating level.

These are VA compensation rates only. Military retirement pay is calculated separately by DFAS and is not affected by CRDP. The total CRDP benefit is the sum of both payments. Annual COLA adjustments (cost-of-living adjustments) are applied each December and affect both military retirement and VA compensation rates. The exact increase percentage varies yearly based on inflation.

Washington State does not provide additional CRDP benefits beyond the federal program. CRDP is exclusively a federal benefit established under 10 U.S.C. section 1414 and administered by the VA and the Department of Defense (DFAS). There is no Washington State supplemental payment, tax exemption, or complementary state program for CRDP recipients.

However, Washington does offer other state-specific veteran benefits that CRDP recipients may qualify for separately, including property tax exemptions for disabled veterans (if 10% or higher VA rating), veterans' business and education benefits, and healthcare programs through the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.

Washington veterans receiving CRDP can stack this federal benefit with any state benefits for which they independently qualify. For example, a CRDP recipient with a 50%+ disability rating may claim Washington's disabled veteran property tax exemption on primary residence, homestead, or farmland. These are applied through the county assessor and are not reduced or limited by receipt of CRDP.

For assistance understanding how CRDP interacts with Washington-specific benefits, contact a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) in your county or the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. These services are free and can clarify your full benefits picture.

CRDP claims are denied most often for one of these reasons:

**1. Insufficient Military Service Time:** The most common reason is fewer than 20 years of active duty. The law requires exactly 20 years of creditable service. Periods of reserve or National Guard service may not count unless activated for active-duty purposes. Review your DD 214 carefully. If you believe your service time was miscalculated, request a military records correction from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

**2. VA Disability Rating Below 50%:** You must have a 50% or higher rating at the time of CRDP application. If your rating is 40%, 30%, or lower, you are ineligible. However, if your rating has been increased to 50%+ since your denial, you can reapply immediately. Obtain a current VA disability rating decision before applying.

**3. Not Officially Retired from Military:** The VA requires proof you are entitled to military retirement pay. If you separated from service but did not complete the 20-year retirement paperwork with DFAS, the VA will deny CRDP. Contact DFAS at 1-800-435-3327 to confirm your military retirement status and effective date.

**4. Missing or Outdated Military Retirement Documentation:** The VA requires a military retirement award letter showing your monthly retirement pay and effective date. A separation pay statement is not sufficient. Request an official retirement award letter from DFAS before reapplying.

**5. Incorrect or Missing Dependent Information:** If you claim a spouse or child, the VA needs birth certificates, marriage license (for spouse), or adoption papers (for adopted children). Incomplete or missing documents cause denial. Gather all family documents before submitting.

**Building a Stronger Initial Claim:** To avoid denial, submit your application with: (1) an official DD 214; (2) current VA disability rating decision (not just estimated); (3) official DFAS military retirement award letter with monthly amount and date; and (4) birth/marriage/adoption certificates for any dependents. Consider visiting your County Veterans Service Officer (free) to review your file before submitting. If denied, file a Supplemental Claim and include any new evidence (e.g., corrected military service records or updated retirement letter).

If your CRDP claim is denied, you have three appeal options under the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AVIA) of 2017 (38 U.S.C. section 7104). You must appeal within one year of the denial letter date.

**Lane 1: Supplemental Claim (Fastest)** Use this lane if you have new evidence the VA did not consider in the original decision. For example, if your first application was denied because of a missing military retirement letter, resubmit with that letter. File VA Form 20-0995 within one year of your denial letter. Processing time: 4–6 months. No Veterans Law Judge review. The VA will grant approval if new evidence warrants it.

**Lane 2: Higher-Level Review (HLR)** Use this lane if you believe the VA made an error in law or fact without considering new evidence. The VA sends your case to a different, more senior VA reviewer (not the original decider). You have the right to request an informal phone conference with the reviewing officer. File VA Form 20-0996 within one year of denial. Processing time: 4–6 months. No hearing before a Judge.

**Lane 3: Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA)** Use this lane if you want an independent hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. You can request an in-person hearing, video hearing, or decision on the written record. File VA Form 10182 (Notice of Disagreement) within one year of denial. Processing time: 12–18 months average. Most thorough but longest review.

**Which Lane to Choose:** - **Supplemental Claim**: You have new documents (retirement letter, updated DD 214, corrected rating decision). - **Higher-Level Review**: The VA misread your existing evidence or applied the wrong rule. - **BVA**: You want oral argument before a Judge and have time to wait.

**Free Help:** Accredited VSO representatives at your County Veterans Service Office, the American Legion, VFW, or VA's Veterans Service Officer program will represent you free of charge through any appeal. Do not pay anyone for appeals help; it is illegal and unnecessary.

**Deadlines:** You have one year from the denial letter date to file any appeal. After one year, the decision becomes final and cannot be appealed.