Imagine serving our country, suffering a combat injury, and being medically retired. You’ve earned your military retirement pay and deserve VA disability compensation for your sacrifice. But for 54,000 wounded veterans, a decades-old rule means these two benefits offset each other, often leading to a significant cut in their earned income. This is an injustice many in Congress and veterans’ organizations are fighting to fix with the Major Richard Star Act.
Currently, if you retire after 20 years with a high disability rating, you get both benefits. But if you’re forced to retire early due to a combat injury, your military retirement pay is reduced dollar-for-dollar by your VA disability compensation. This means thousands of dollars lost for heroes like Major Richard Star, an Army Reservist who died after burn pit exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan, for whom the bill is named.
Advocates, including Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars, argue these aren’t “double-dipping” benefits. Military retirement is for years of service; VA disability is for injuries sustained. Both are earned. With strong bipartisan support from 77 senators and 316 representatives, the Major Richard Star Act aims to let these medically retired veterans receive both their full retirement pay and VA disability.
So, why hasn’t it passed? Cost. Estimates range from $9.75 billion over ten years to a staggering $70 billion. While proponents suggest funding from the vast Military Retirement Fund, critics cite national debt concerns and potential impacts on military readiness.
Despite the hurdles, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal are leading the charge, urging immediate action. As Senator Moran put it, “They have upheld their oath; they have fulfilled their duties. The question before us is whether we will fulfill ours.” It’s time to honor our wounded heroes without compromise.
