What Is the Major Richard Star Act?

The Major Richard Star Act is a bipartisan bill in Congress aimed at fixing a long-standing issue for combat-injured military retirees. Currently, veterans who are medically retired due to combat injuries and receive VA disability compensation often see their military retirement pay reduced or "offset" by the amount of their VA payments. This offset can significantly lower monthly income for affected veterans.

The Act is named after Major Richard Star, a decorated Army officer and combat veteran who advocated for this change before his passing. The legislation seeks to eliminate the offset, allowing eligible veterans to receive both full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation.

Who Is Affected by the Current Offset?

Under current law (see 10 U.S.C. § 1414 and 38 U.S.C. § 5304), only certain retirees with at least 20 years of service and a VA disability rating of 50% or higher can receive both payments in full. Medically retired veterans—often with less than 20 years of service but forced to retire due to combat-related injuries—do not qualify for this "concurrent receipt." Instead, their retirement pay is reduced by the amount of their VA disability compensation.

This means a combat-injured veteran medically retired after, for example, 10 years of service with a 70% disability rating may lose out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month. The Star Act would directly benefit these veterans by removing the offset.

What Will Change If the Act Passes?

If enacted, the Major Richard Star Act will:

  • Allow medically retired, combat-injured veterans to receive both full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation, regardless of years of service.
  • Increase monthly income for thousands of veterans who currently face offsets.
  • Apply retroactively, in some cases, to eligible veterans already retired under these circumstances.

Exact payment amounts will depend on your rank, years of service, and VA disability rating. You can estimate your combined benefits using the VA Disability Rating Calculator and learn more about retirement pay on our military retirement hub.

How to Prepare and What to Do Next

While the Major Richard Star Act has not yet become law, it has gained strong bipartisan support in Congress, including from Oregon lawmakers. Here’s what you can do now:

  • Check your current retirement and disability status. Review your VA disability rating and retirement pay statements.
  • Gather your retirement orders (DD Form 214, retirement orders) and VA award letters (VA Form 21-6789 or similar).
  • Monitor the bill’s progress in Congress. Updates are available through the explainers index and official congressional websites.
  • If the bill passes, be ready to file updated claims or applications as directed by the VA and DoD. Guidance will be posted on our VA claims hub.

If you believe you qualify, keep all documentation related to your combat injuries and retirement. You may need to submit these records to claim retroactive payments or correct your benefit amounts.

Where to Get Help

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and accredited representatives can help you understand your eligibility and prepare any necessary paperwork. You can also contact your installation’s retirement services office or the VA for assistance.

For more resources on disability ratings and concurrent receipt, visit our disability ratings hub and military retirement hub.