CRSC packet review before you submit

A CRSC packet review is an expert read of a packet you've already built — before you submit it — to catch the gaps that get claims denied. We go through it line by line and hand you a written evidence-gap report: what's strong, what's weak, and exactly what to fix while you still can. It's the lower-cost path for the veteran who's done the work and just wants a straight second opinion before it goes to the board.

What we check

A board approves what the paper proves, so we read your packet the way the board will — looking for the link that isn't there yet. For every condition you claim, we work the chain end to end and tell you where it holds and where it breaks.

• The causation chain, per condition. Event → mechanism of injury → medical evidence → combat-related category. We check that each link is actually documented, not just asserted, for every rated condition in the packet.
• The right combat-related category. We confirm you've claimed each condition under a category it can actually win on — armed conflict, hazardous service, conditions simulating war, instrumentality of war, or Purple Heart — and flag any condition filed under the wrong one.
• Block 13 narrative quality. The narrative is where most self-built packets fall down. We read yours for clarity, order, and whether it gives the board what it needs to say yes.
• Whether your records prove each link. It's not enough to reference a record — it has to prove the point you're using it for. We check that your supporting documents actually carry the weight you're putting on them.
• Completeness of the DD Form 2860. We go through your DD Form 2860 field by field for the current edition, looking for blanks, mismatches, and the spots that trip retirees up.
• Branch-specific formatting. Each branch board has its own address, format, and expectations. We check that your packet is assembled and ordered the way your board wants to receive it.

What you get

You don't get a vague thumbs-up. You get a written report you can act on the same day:

• A written evidence-gap report with specific fixes, prioritized. Not "tighten your narrative" — the actual gaps, what would close each one, and what to fix first so your time goes where it moves the needle.
• A clear go/no-go read on weak conditions. Some conditions help a packet; some only invite a denial. We tell you which of yours are carrying their weight and which we'd think hard about before including.

Who it's for

This is built for the veteran who's already in the work: DIY filers who've assembled a packet and want a gut check before it's final; readers of The CRSC Playbook who followed the steps and want a second set of eyes; and anyone about to submit who'd rather find the gaps now than read about them in a denial letter. If you'd rather we build the whole thing for you, that's full packet preparation instead. The review is the lower-cost option — you've done the heavy lifting, so you're paying for the expert read, not the build.

What it costs

We charge a flat fee on purpose. Some companies take a percentage of your retroactive CRSC, which can mean thousands of dollars off the top of money you earned. You'll always know our price up front, and it never scales with your backpay.

Honest expectations

A review makes your packet stronger — it can't make it certain. CRSC is case-specific and decided solely by your branch's board; we don't guarantee approval, a rating, or a backpay amount, and no one honestly can. What a review does is close the gaps the board would have used to deny you. And if we read your packet and find it's fundamentally weak — the conditions just don't trace to a qualifying combat-related event the way they need to — we'll tell you that straight, on the call, before you spend a dollar.

Review FAQ

What's the difference between a review and full packet preparation?

A review is for a packet you've already built yourself: we read it line by line, find the gaps, and give you a written report of fixes for $500. Full packet preparation is the done-for-you build — we assemble the whole packet from scratch, including the causation narratives and the DD Form 2860, for $2,500. The review is the lower-cost option when you've done the work and just need an expert second set of eyes before you submit.

Can you guarantee my packet will be approved after a review?

No. A review makes your packet stronger and harder to deny, but CRSC eligibility and outcomes are decided solely by your branch's CRSC board. No one can honestly promise approval, a rating, or a backpay amount — be cautious of anyone who does.

How long does a review take?

It's typically a short turnaround once we have all your materials, but the timeline depends on the size and complexity of your packet and how complete your records are. We give you a realistic estimate on the free 15-minute call before you commit, and we don't make hard promises on dates.