A recent Supreme Court ruling is making big waves for thousands of combat-disabled veterans—and it’s a win worth knowing about. Here’s what happened, what it means, and what you should do if you think you’re affected.
First, What Is CRSC?
CRSC stands for Combat-Related Special Compensation. It’s a benefit for military retirees who have combat-related injuries. It helps fix the issue where VA disability pay gets taken out of your military retirement.
The short version:
You’re retired from the military. You have a VA rating for a combat-related condition.
CRSC pays you extra, tax-free money to make up for the retirement pay you lose because of VA disability offsets.
The Problem: A 6-Year Limit
Until now, if you applied for CRSC late, the government would only pay you back for the last 6 years, even if you should have been getting it for longer. That 6-year rule comes from something called the “Barring Act.” It’s a law that limits how far back people can claim money from the government. Here’s the thing: the CRSC law doesn’t actually mention this 6-year limit anywhere, so a Marine veteran named Simon Soto challenged it.
The Court Case: Soto v. United States
Simon Soto served in the Marines and was medically retired with PTSD. He became eligible for CRSC in 2009—but didn’t apply until 2016. When he was finally approved, the Navy said, “We’ll only pay you back to 2010”—because of that 6-year limit. Soto said, “That’s not right. The CRSC law doesn’t have that limit.” He sued—and took the case all the way to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s Ruling (June 2025)
The Court agreed with Soto. All nine justices ruled in his favor. They said, “The CRSC law is its own thing. It doesn’t have the 6-year limit. Veterans should be paid back to when they first qualified.” That means the Barring Act does not apply to CRSC. Huge win.
What This Means for You
If you’re a veteran who: retired from the military (medical or length of service), has a combat-related disability, and was approved for CRSC after waiting years to apply, or was denied backpay beyond 6 years, you might now be owed more money. Some veterans could see thousands of dollars in backpay, going all the way back to 2008.
What Should You Do?
Here’s a quick action checklist:
- Find out if you’ve ever qualified for CRSC
– You must have a combat-related disability (not just service-connected—combat-related). - Check your CRSC decision letter
– Does it say you’re only getting 6 years of back pay, even though you qualified earlier? If so, consider reapplying or requesting a review. The rules have changed in your favor. - Talk to someone who can help
– A veteran service officer (VSO) or a VA-accredited legal representative, such as the Parmele Disability Advocates – Veteran Affairs team, can walk you through the next steps.
Bottom Line
This Supreme Court ruling is a game-changer. Veterans who put off applying for CRSC—or who were told they could only get 6 years of backpay—now have a second chance to receive the full compensation they earned through their service and sacrifice. The country made a promise. Now it’s time to make good on it.
If you are a Veteran seeking to increase your disability percentage or appeal a denial, don’t fight the system alone. Contact the VA team at Parmele Disability Advocates: 866-889-2570. They have the experience and competency to lead you through what can be a confusing, frustrating process. Contact them today to discuss your next best steps.
Parmele Disability Advocates – Veteran Affairs. Disability advocacy for all.