Every year, thousands of American service members are forced into early retirement because of injuries sustained in the line of duty. These men and women didn’t walk away — they were pulled off the battlefield by wounds, trauma, or chronic conditions caused by their service.

 

Yet under current law, veterans medically retired with less than 20 years of service are denied the full retirement benefits they earned. Their military retirement pay is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the VA disability compensation they receive — the same compensation meant to help them rebuild their lives.

 

This injustice affects more than 50,000 medically retired veterans. Many lose up to $2,000 per month — simply because their bodies gave out before they could reach the 20-year mark. If they had stayed healthy, they’d get both benefits. But because they were injured in service, they are financially punished.

 

The Major Richard Star Act (S.1032 / H.R.2102) ends this cruel policy. It allows medically retired veterans to receive their VA disability pay and military retirement concurrently, just like their peers with 20 years of service.

 

This legislation is bipartisan, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, and backed by major veteran organizations across the country. It is not a political issue — it’s a matter of basic fairness and honoring our promises to those who served.

 

We demand Congress act now.

No more offsets.

No more delays.

No more broken promises.

 

Sign this petition to urge Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act and restore justice to America’s wounded warriors.