Concurrent receipt compromised

VFW Magazine, Jan, 2003 by Tim Dyhouse

After much talk from Congress about supporting concurrent receipt, legislators instead approved a compromise Nov. 13 that provides "special compensation" to certain combat-related disabled military retirees. VFW was disappointed the compromise fell short of the original goal.

"The concurrent receipt issue remains to be addressed," said VFW Commander-in-Chief Ray Sisk. "VFW will continue to fight for all military retirees so they receive their full retirement pay and any VA compensation they are due."

Contained in Section 636 of the 2003 Defense Authorization Act, the provision will go into effect six months after President Bush signs the bill, meaning payments could begin in May.

Two groups will be eligible: retirees with a 10% or higher disability rating stemming from award of a Purple Heart; and retirees rated 60% or higher for a disability caused by "combat situations, combat-oriented training, hazardous duty or instrumentalities of war."

Estimates place the number of eligible veterans anywhere from 9,800 to 35,000. Payments could range from $105 to $2,193 a month. Cost estimates range from $4 billion to $9 billion over 10 years.

For more information, contact VFW's Veterans Helpline at 1-800-VFW-1899.

(VFW Res. 602 supports full concurrent receipt.)