VETERANS

Senator Levin believes that we have an obligation to care for our nation’s veterans. Not only must we redouble our efforts to care for those who have already served in the military, but as a new generation of soldiers returns home from countries around the globe, we must ensure that they have access to a veterans’ health system that is able to provide them with the care and services they have earned.

One of Senator Levin's top priorities is ensuring that Michigan's veterans and military retirees receive quality services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. Senator Levin is working hard to increase funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve services to veterans and protect their well-earned benefits.

Concurrent Receipt

Until recently, our nation’s military retirees were not able to receive the full amount of their retired pay and VA disability benefits. Their military retired pay was reduced by the amount of VA disability pay received. Because military retired pay and VA disability benefits are earned and awarded for different purposes, Senator Levin felt it was unfair for military retirees not to concurrently receive both payments in full and has supported efforts to correct this inequity.

As an interim measure, Senator Levin was instrumental in creating an alternative system that allows eligible veterans to receive the money they deserve. Under the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program, eligible military retirees with a VA disability rating of 60 percent or higher receive a special monthly payment equal to the amount of retired pay they forfeit because of the VA disability compensation received. In order to be eligible to receive payments under CRSC, retirees must: (1) have at least 20 years of military service; (2) have incurred a combat-related injury; (3) be entitled to receive VA disability benefits; and (4) have at least a 60 percent VA disability rating (or, if the injury is associated with a Purple Heart, at least a 10 percent rating).

While CRSC was an important step in the right direction, Senator Levin continued to seek authorization for full concurrent receipt. In 2003, his efforts paid off, and concurrent receipt legislation for retirees whose disability is rated 50 percent or higher was finally passed. Due to cost constraints, Congress agreed to a 10-year phase-in of this benefit (ending in 2014), except for 100 percent disabled retirees, who began receiving the full amount immediately.

Senator Levin continues to believe that all eligible military retirees who have suffered a disability as a result of their service to our nation should receive their benefits in full, and he continues to work to ensure that those military retirees receive both entitlements.

If you are a veteran, please see Senator Levin’s veterans casework page for more information.