Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) for Chapter 61 Retirees
When you’re dealing with a medical discharge, the process can feel overwhelming—especially when the outcome impacts your career, finances, or future. Recently, several clients with over 20 years of active federal service raised questions regarding retirement pay. They generally ask, “Will increasing my unfit DoD rating increase my retirement pay?” This question highlights why… Read More »
Trouble for Dual Status Technicians
If you are a technician, we could be the right firm for you with retired Guard AGRs, with HR and JAG experience. Recently Major General McGinn, Retired, signed a letter and posted on the NGAUS website and circulated it. National Guard Assoc of the U.S. is supporting a Defense Department proposal calling for the elimination technicians…. Read More »
PEB Combat Determinations vs CRSC Awards
Recently, several clients have reached out to ask questions about Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). In each case, the client had been medically retired and received combat designation codes from the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). Each believed that the PEB’s combat designation would automatically qualify them for CRSC after retirement. This highlights a common misunderstanding:… Read More »
St.Mary of the Visitation Catholic Parish Teen Retreat
Calling All High Schoolers! In our ever-changing world, Jesus is the answer to the longing of our hearts for meaning, fulfillment, security, and love. Join hundreds of other Catholic teens in Steubenville, Ohio for a weekend retreat! Thursday, June 25th to Sunday, June 28th Franciscan University Main Campus Steubenville, Ohio Learn More
CRSC for Burn Pits-related Health Issues – Burn Pits Designated as “Instrumentalities of War”
On March 6, 2026, the U.S. Army settled Smoke et al. v. Driscoll, a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of Army veterans who were denied a combat related designation by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for unfit disabilities presumed to be caused by exposure to military burn pits. As a result, the Army… Read More »
Why Retain a Lawyer for IDES, MEB, PEB, and LOD Issues?
When you’re injured and facing the Disability Evaluation System (IDES), a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), or a Line of Duty (LOD) determination, the process can feel overwhelming—especially when the outcome affects your career, retirement, and benefits. Recently, a client who suffered an injury in Korea and received a profile… Read More »
Major Victory: Air Force Board of Corrections Grants Vietnam Veteran Disability Retirement Back to 1978
What a win. This month, Citizen Soldier Law secured a major result before the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR) for a client whose records failed to reflect what should have happened decades ago. The AFBCMR directed the Air Force to correct the client’s records to show he should have been… Read More »
