Right now, VA deducts the retirement pay of veterans with a disability rating of less than 50%. These veterans who have been forced into medical retirement are being penalized for their injuries, and there is no excuse for it. Disability compensation and retirement pay are two different payments, and should be treated as such. DoD awards retirement pay for honorable service, while the VA is responsible for disability compensation. Conflating the two and forcing deductions in retirement pay is an injustice.
The American Legion stands with disabled veterans and urges Congress not to continue this denial of retirement benefits. The Major Richard Star Act would repeal this draconian offset for those veterans who are medically retired due to injuries sustained in combat and allow them to receive both their retirement pay without forfeiting their disability compensation.