What Is the Major Richard Star Act?

The Major Richard Star Act is a proposed law that would allow combat-injured veterans to receive both their full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without the current offset. Today, federal law (see 10 U.S.C. § 1414 and 38 U.S.C. § 5304) requires most veterans with less than 20 years of service to have their retirement pay reduced by the amount of VA disability compensation they receive. This offset often leaves medically retired combat veterans with less financial support than they earned.

The Act is named after Major Richard Star, a combat-injured veteran who advocated for ending this offset before his passing. If passed, the law would correct a long-standing inequity and benefit thousands of veterans who were medically retired due to combat-related injuries.

Who Would Benefit from the Act?

This legislation specifically targets veterans who were medically retired due to combat-related injuries and are currently subject to the "VA offset." If you were medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service and receive both VA disability compensation and military retirement pay, you likely face an offset that reduces your retirement check dollar-for-dollar by the amount of your VA disability pay.

  • Example: A veteran medically retired after 10 years of service with a 70% VA disability rating receives $1,769.62 per month (2024 rate) in VA compensation. Their retirement pay is reduced by the same amount, often leaving them with little or no retirement pay.
  • The Act would let you receive both payments in full, increasing your total monthly income.

For more on how disability ratings affect pay, visit our disability ratings hub or use the VA disability rating calculator.

What Is Changing: The Stand-Alone Vote

Previously, the Major Richard Star Act was bundled with other legislation, slowing its progress. Now, a petition has forced a stand-alone vote in Congress. This means lawmakers will vote directly on the Act itself, increasing its chances of passage and making it easier for veterans and advocates to track the bill's progress.

If you are affected, watch for news on the vote and be ready to act. Contact your representatives to urge support. If the bill passes, the VA and DoD will issue new guidance and forms for eligible veterans to claim their full benefits.

What to Do If You May Qualify

  • Check your retirement status. If you were medically retired for combat-related injuries with less than 20 years of service, you are in the target group.
  • Gather your retirement orders (DD Form 214 and medical retirement paperwork) and VA disability award letters.
  • Monitor updates on our military retirement hub and VA claims hub for new forms or instructions if the Act passes.
  • Contact your Congressional representatives to express support for the Act. Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) can help you with advocacy and future claims.

Where to Get More Help

This legislation could mean a significant increase in monthly income for thousands of combat-injured veterans. For more information on how offsets work, visit our explainers index. For personalized benefit calculations, check our VA disability rating calculator.

If the Major Richard Star Act becomes law, detailed guidance will follow. Stay connected with your VSO, check updates from the VA, and review our resources for step-by-step claim instructions.