Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have reintroduced legislation that would provide an estimated 50,000 combat-injured veterans with increased benefits.
The bill, if passed, could add thousands to the pockets of those disabled veterans.
The government would extend full military benefits to combat-injured veterans under the proposal, even those who served less than 20 years.
The House Armed Services Committee has now advanced the bill.
Under the current law, only veterans with disability ratings over 50% and more than 20 years of service are eligible for the full benefits.
“The Major Richard Star Act will fix this policy for medically retired combat veterans by providing them with their full VA disability and DoD retirement payments,” lawmakers stated. The Wounded Warriors Project says that the current law “requires a dollar for dollar offset of these two benefits, meaning they have to forfeit a portion of the benefits they earned in service.”
The new legislation would have broad support from both Republicans and Democrats, along with numerous veterans groups across the nation.
“The Veterans of Foreign Wars is urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act to help put money back in the pockets of Veterans who were forced to retire early from military service because of battlefield injury or illness,” stated Steve Kjonaas, who is the legislative director of Veterans of Foreign Wars Colorado.
Ultimately, the passing of this new law would be a solid step in the right direction for veterans. It would allow almost 50,000 more vets to get the full benefits they deserve.
The Major Richard Star Act was brought about thanks to U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Richard Star. Here's more about him and how he helped bring attention to this issue.
Via Denver7:
Ya I need this bil to pass for my family, because I cant do much anymore do to Combat Related injuries in Afghanistan Please America pass this so I can live like an actual retiree because I gave my all my ability to function in war men who make 20 years dont receive the damage we receive or your booted by MEB so it is bs. The people who just sit and rest there knees for 20 years and go Warriors who go in so hard that there life changes forever. I never change my view combat>20
PLEASE PASS THIS BILL SOME GAVE EVERYTHING NOT JUST TIME.
Yes , I agree this along with many other Bill that have been sitting on the desk of our Congressmen,Senators etc… should be SIGNED and PASSED
We all signed on that dotted line and served regardless of war time and peace time
We didn’t asked to hurt or injured shot at or thing fall on us ( or just things that happened) while we served
We didn’t asked
We just did it
We all love this country now it time for the country to love us back
I’m an Army n Navy 100% P n T Veteran
And I’m sick and tired of all you politicians and bureaucrats
Getting and giving themselves RAISES far above the average American worker
And some if not MOST put in for there raise before they even take there office
And when the Verteran ( Disabled or Not )want something
It takes months and years
This government needs fixing and it needs to start with us Veterans
What about med board? Will we qualify? I got 100% in 2017