Congressman Burgess Negotiates Concurrent Receipt Solution for America’s Veterans
Posted by
Michelle Stein
on
October 16, 2003
|
comments
Representative Michael C. Burgess, (TX-26) today announced House-Senate agreement on an historic plan to provide concurrent receipt for more disabled veterans than has ever been covered by law.
"I fought for a solution to the concurrent receipt problem which honors our nation’s veterans and years of their dedicated service," said Congressman Burgess.
Currently, disabled veterans' retirement benefits are offset by the amount of disability coverage that they are eligible for. Congressman Burgess is a cosponsor of H.R. 303, The Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003 that seeks to rectify this situation.
"I am pleased we are able to announce this historic plan which would provide benefits to more disabled veterans than has ever been covered by law before. This solution is fair, responsible, and a huge step forward after years of gridlock on this important issue."
Highlights of the plan include:
Blue Ribbon Commission
* Establishment of a 13-member, bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission to review the current VA disability system and make recommendations to ensure the system adequately compensates veterans for disabilities they may incur as a result of their service.
* The White House and Congressional leaders will appoint commissioners – more than half of whom will be highly decorated combat veterans.
Purple Heart
* The House plan continues to provide FULL CONCURRENT RECEIPT to ALL PURPLE HEART VETERANS who are retired after 20 years and who have a VA disability rating of 10% – 100%.
Combat-Related Special Compensation
* Under current law, combat-related special compensation (CRSC) veterans 60% disabled and above have full concurrent receipt through the Republicans’ Purple Heart Plus plan for disabilities related to combat situations.
* The House plan expands FULL CONCURRENT RECEIPT to ALL CRSC veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% – 100%.
National Guard and Reservists
* Very few retired reservists and national guardsmen now qualify under current law for the Purple Heart or CRSC concurrent receipt.
* The House plan removes this barrier and extends FULL CONCURRENT RECEIPT to ALL RETIRED NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVISTS (10 – 100% disabled) who are Purple Heart recipients, or who are CRSC qualified.
Remaining Military Retirees
* Under current law, none of the remaining military retirees receive concurrent receipt.
* The House plan establishes FULL CONCURRENT RECEIPT to the most disabled military retirees 50% disabled and above (50 – 100% disabled).
