Veterans forced to retire early because of combat-related injury would get full military retirement plus full Department of Veteran Affairs disability pay under new U.S. House of Representatives bill.
Now, service members who medically retire before completing 20 years of service cannot receive both payments in full.
For example, a retiree who receives $2,000 a month in VA disability pay and is entitled to a $3,000 military pension would receive the full $2,000 VA payment, but only $1,000 from the military pension.
If the disability payment exceeds the pension amount, the veteran may receive only the disability payment.
Congresswoman Victoria Spartz’s Combat Veterans Retirement Restoration Act, which the Indiana Republican introduced Sept. 16, seeks to change that rule.
She said in a media release that it is intended to ensure that those who are combat-disabled and forced to medically retire before completing 20 years of military service can receive both their earned military retired pay and VA disability compensation.
“Combat veterans forced to medically retire because of their injuries should not lose retirement benefits simply because they could not reach 20 years of service,” Spartz said. “This targeted fix honors our commitment to those who sacrificed in defense of our nation.”
If enacted, the change would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
