| October 16, 2003—Today U.S. Representative Trent Franks joined House leadership—including Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ)—in unveiling a concurrent receipt proposal that represents a major breakthrough toward ending the unfair penalty on disabled veterans.
“We walk in freedom today because of the bravery of generations of noble soldiers who have gone before us,” Franks said. “This historic plan honors these men and women, and will--in time--rectify a policy which was unjust from the beginning.”
"I commend Congressman Franks for his role in making this happen," said Rep. Duncan Hunter, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "Every veteran in his district should be thankful for Congressman Franks' hard work."
Currently, disabled veterans’ retirement benefits are offset by the amount of disability coverage that they are eligible for. For instance, if a veteran is entitled to $1,000 a month in military retirement and $300 a month in VA disability, under current law, the disability payment is subtracted from the retirement pay, leaving the veteran with checks for $700 and $300.
This new plan provides:
-continued full concurrent receipt to all Purple Heart Veterans who are retired after 20 years and who have a VA disability rating of 10-100%.
-expanded full concurrent receipt to all combat-related special compensation (CRSC) veterans with a VA disability rating of 10-100% (currently covers disabilities rated 60% and above).
-removal of the barrier keeping retired reservists and national guardsmen from being qualified under current law for the Purple Heart of CRSC concurrent receipt.
-full concurrent receipt to the most disabled military retirees 50% disabled and above (50-100% disabled) through a 10-year phase-in plan, effective January 1, 2004.
“I commend Mr. Blunt and Chairmen Hunter and Smith, for their leadership in ending this over-100-year-old policy,” Franks said. “I am honored to represent thousands of Arizona veterans, and it is on their behalf that I was pleased to be able to work with my colleagues in this quantum leap toward ending the concurrent receipt problem.” |
