Understanding the Major Richard Star Act

Marine veteran Jamel Daniels speaks at a May 21 event in Washington, D.C., supporting the Major Richard Star Act.

Understanding the Major Richard Star Act and Its Impact on Combat-Injured Veterans

The Major Richard Star Act, named in honor of a combat-wounded Veteran, is a pivotal piece of legislation designed to correct an unjust pay offset that impacts thousands of medically retired Service Members. The act aims to ensure that Veterans who were forced to medically retire due to combat-related injuries can receive both their full disability compensation and retirement pay without offset.

How Are Veterans Being Penalized?
Under current law, Veterans who are medically retired due to combat-related injuries do not receive their full retirement pay from the Department of Defense (DoD) if they are also receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This creates an offset, meaning their DoD retirement pay is reduced by the amount they receive from the VA, resulting in some Veterans receiving no retirement benefits at all.

The Benefits of the Major Richard Star Act
The Major Richard Star Act offers Veterans the option to receive both their disability compensation and full retirement pay. Veterans will be able to choose whether to stay in the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program or opt-out and receive both VA compensation and the full DoD retirement pay. This choice will provide Veterans with the flexibility to select the best option for their individual needs.

What is CRSC?
The Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program provides tax-free payments to retired Veterans with combat-related disabilities. To be eligible, Veterans must have at least a 30% disability rating and be retired for a combat-related injury. Veterans can choose CRSC or, with the passage of the Major Richard Star Act, opt for the full retirement pay with VA disability compensation.

The Importance of Advocacy
Veterans who qualify for this benefit need our collective voice to get this bill passed. The NCOA is proud to stand with The Military Coalition and organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project in supporting the Major Richard Star Act.

This bill is a long-overdue fix that would give Veterans the benefits they earned and deserve. It's time to correct this injustice and ensure that combat-wounded Veterans are not penalized for their service.

What You Can Do to Help:
We encourage all Veterans, their families, and supporters to take action and contact their legislators to show support for the Major Richard Star Act. Click below to easily send a message to your representatives.

Take Action Now!