The Major Richard Star Act significantly increases benefits for certain veterans. This act addresses a long-standing disparity in military retirees’ compensation. As a veteran, I understand the complexities of navigating veterans’ benefits.
Many combat-injured veterans were denied full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation. The Major Richard Star Act aims to rectify this issue by increasing benefits for those who have served.
Table of Contents:
- Understanding the Major Richard Star Act
- The Impact of the Major Richard Star Act
- The History and Future of the Major Richard Star Act
- FAQs about the Major Richard Star Act
- Conclusion
Understanding the Major Richard Star Act
The Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 1282/S. 334) amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code. This act permits medically retired veterans with less than 20 years of service and combat-related injuries to receive both their full retirement pay and disability compensation. An existing offset reduces retirement pay by the amount of disability compensation received.
This bill eliminates that offset for eligible veterans. The Major Richard Star Act seeks to fairly compensate military personnel injured while protecting our nation’s national defense and national guard.
Who Qualifies for These Increased Benefits?
This bill targets Chapter 61 retirees—those medically retired with less than 20 years of service due to combat-related injuries. Eligibility depends on receiving Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). This is an important point. Those eligible must be receiving special compensation already to get benefits from the veterans bill through the Major Richard Star Act.
Qualifying injuries occur during combat or combat-related training. This stipulation focuses relief on service members whose careers were cut short by combat. It is a crucial step in providing proper support to wounded warriors.
The Impact of the Major Richard Star Act
This bill substantially increases benefits for veterans. The Congressional Budget Office estimates roughly 50,000 veterans may qualify for higher compensation. This number only increases each year. This bill addresses a financial disparity, allowing veterans to receive their earned military retirement pay and VA disability compensation.
The average offset these veterans faced was nearly $1,900 monthly. The Major Richard Star Act provides much-needed financial relief for disabled veterans.
Real-Life Example of How this Bill Can Help
Consider a Sergeant injured in combat and medically retired by the Army after 15 years. This Sergeant deserves both military retired pay for their service and disability for their injuries.
Previously, they faced a difficult choice. This veterans bill eliminates that dilemma. It will provide a financial security net to combat-disabled veterans of the armed services, including the air force, marine corps, space force, and army veterans.
The History and Future of the Major Richard Star Act
The fight for concurrent receipt predates the Major Richard Star Act. The bill is named for Major Richard, who died in 2021 from lung cancer linked to burn pit exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan. Major Star exemplified the unfairness of existing rules for medically retired service members.
Bipartisan support for the Major Richard Star Act has grown. However, as of late 2024, its future remains uncertain, pending Congressional action. It also faces the complex intersection between DOD retirement and VA benefits.
Despite clearing committees and having numerous co-sponsors, the Major Richard Star Act needs a final push from Congress. This act is a necessary measure to ensure fair disability benefits for medically retired veterans. Congress continues to discuss and possibly include the Major Richard Star Act within the annual national defense authorization act.
FAQs about the Major Richard Star Act
What is the Major Richard Star Act bill?
The Major Richard Star Act changes existing law to allow medically retired veterans with less than 20 years of service and combat-related disabilities to receive full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation concurrently. This eliminates the offset that reduced retirement pay by the VA disability amount. This act supports service members and acknowledges the service they’ve given to the nation.
Are VA benefits increasing in 2024?
Yes, VA disability benefits typically receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The Major Richard Star Act provides additional support beyond the COLA to combat-disabled, medically retired veterans.
This includes those who may not have been service eligible previously for concurrent receipt of both military retirement and VA benefits. It gives these specific groups access to benefits that many have urged congress to take action on.
What is the new veterans benefit bill?
As of December 2024, the Major Richard Star Act is a key piece of legislation yet to be passed. This bill focuses on retirement and disability payments for a specific veteran group. Other bills address various veteran issues.
These veteran benefit measures could enhance disability retirees’ overall care. Stay informed through resources on veterans benefit bills. Your local veterans service organizations’ website also provides important updates.
What are the new VA benefits for 2025?
The Major Richard Star Act provides substantial relief beyond annual COLA increases for combat-disabled, medically retired veterans. Potential improvements unrelated to this specific act include expanded mental and physical healthcare, home loan opportunities, and vocational rehabilitation.
It is also essential to check regularly for any news or press releases from Washington. Stay up-to-date with legislative updates through reputable sources.
Conclusion
The Major Richard Star Act represents significant progress in veterans’ benefits. For eligible medically retired veterans, it brings substantial increases in earned income by removing the unfair offset between military retired pay and VA disability compensation. This could have substantial positive ripple effects on veteran child care options and veteran care providers, thanks to additional veteran affairs disability benefits from concurrent receipt of existing entitlements.
Although implementation has taken time, sustained advocacy efforts may bring relief to deserving medically retired veterans. This bill alters how veterans navigate retirement and disability, recognizing their sacrifices and ensuring comprehensive support for military retirees, including percent disability and eligible combat-related benefits. We are mindful of the changes they’ve made in their lives while being of service, and we hope these veterans feel completely supported.
I’m not sure if anything has been heard yet about the status of where this very important bill (H.R.1282) which will undo an injustice done to veterans like myself who had to be medically retired before twenty years of service due to injuries sustained. Having to forfeit military retired pay because we receive va compensation is Un-American. I’ve been in contact with my respective Texas Congressman/Senator only to get robotic and scripted answers never to be heard from again. What I’m trying to figure out is why the very federal government that had us deployed, multiple times for some, to rob us of a benefit we rightfully EARNED and why. Saving a dollar at the expense of injured veterans is wrong. And the very government themselves will not do anything to correct this issue. All they care about is how to pay for it. Why is that even a concern? They send everything to some useless committee just to avoid doing the job they were elected to do while every injured veteran such as myself pays the price for thier indecisiveness and political bickering. Why is this allowed to continue while not holding anyone accountable. We answered the call to serve when our country was attacked, deploy to combat theaters, sacrifice ourselves physically and mentally, Just to be forgotten again. Then everyone is left wondering why veteran suicides is as high as ever. Simply to dave a dollar while thier families are left to be forgotten as well. Nobody will communicate with us directly affected by this gross injustice as to where this bill stands. It seems they figure the longer we wait, the less injured and medically retired veterans they will have to pay. If someone could please uncover what is happening with this important piece of legislation it would be a tremendous help. We have been forgotten long enough and someone needs to answer to the hold up. Thank you again for your help and time to help myself and other veterans this directly affects. Like many other issues concerning veterans, they always get forgotten. Just like we have been. This issue can’t go unheard anything.
V/R
Don L Hollis Jr.