A bipartisan group of senators is making another push to correct what many see as a long-standing injustice in the military benefits system.
On Monday, lawmakers introduced the Senate version of the Major Richard Star Act, a bill that would allow tens of thousands of medically retired veterans to receive their full military retirement pay in addition to their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation.
Currently, service members who are medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service and a VA disability rating below 50% face a financial penalty: their retirement pay from the Department of War is reduced by one dollar for every dollar they receive in disability benefits from the VA.
This offset means many disabled veterans are not receiving the full amount of compensation they earned through both their military service and their injuries.
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The proposed legislation would eliminate this offset, enabling what is known as "concurrent receipt" for about 50,000 veterans.
These are individuals who were forced to retire early due to combat-related injuries and are currently being shortchanged despite having put their lives on the line.
“This measure corrects one of the deepest injustices in our present veterans' disability system,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a co-sponsor of the bill.
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“It is unacceptable that tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans are denied the full military benefits they earned.”
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also a co-sponsor, emphasized the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by America’s servicemen and women. “This legislation makes a critical change to treat our veterans fairly and support our nation's heroes,” he said.
“I urge my colleagues to support its quick passage.”
The Major Richard Star Act has drawn widespread support among veterans’ advocacy groups, many of whom have long called for the end of the so-called "VA offset."
Named after Major Richard Star, a combat-wounded Army veteran who died from cancer in 2021, the bill represents a symbolic and substantive effort to fulfill the nation’s promises to its wounded warriors.
Despite its strong bipartisan backing and emotional appeal, the bill has faced hurdles in previous legislative sessions.
Lawmakers are hoping that the latest push, amid growing awareness and support, will finally move the measure across the finish line.
If passed, the bill would mark a significant victory for medically retired veterans—particularly those who suffered injuries in combat but fell short of the 20-year service requirement that grants full concurrent receipt to other retirees.
Advocates argue that the current policy effectively penalizes veterans for being wounded in the line of duty.
As Congress takes up the measure once again, supporters are calling on their colleagues to act swiftly.
For thousands of veterans, the bill offers not just financial relief, but long-overdue recognition of their sacrifices and service.
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