I don’t know who the idiot was that thought the following was an excellent idea, but I’d like to meet him or her and have a very pointed discussion. Starting with the fact that this is ABSOLUTELY NOT the way to fix all the problems at the VA!

What’s the problem you ask? Keep reading. However, for any veterans out there, you might need to hold on to your temper with both hands. Let’s start with the title and go from there.

Eliminate Concurrent Receipt of Retirement Pay and Disability Compensation for Disabled Veterans

Yes, you read that correctly. And you know, that pretty much says it all. But lets break it down just a bit shall we?

As a result of several laws, starting with the National Defense Authorization Act for 2003, two classes of retired military personnel who receive VA disability compensation (including those who retired before the enactment of those laws) can now receive payments that make up for part or all of the VA offset, benefiting from what is often called concurrent receipt. Specifically, retirees whose disabilities arose from combat are eligible for combat-related special compensation (CRSC), and veterans who retire with at least 20 years of military service and who receive a VA disability rating of at least 50 percent are eligible for what is termed concurrent retirement and disability pay (CRDP). CRSC is exempt from federal taxes, but CRDP is not; some veterans would qualify for both payments but must choose between them.

The proposal is eliminate the option of both starting in 2018. Here’s the deal.

A. Whether anyone wants to accept reality or not, this is and never has been in any way shape or form Double Dipping. Even though the CBO and the “genius” (I use that term VERY loosely) would like to convince us otherwise.

B. The ONLY benefit to our veterans receiving a portion of their retirement as disability pay is that that portion of the payment isn’t taxable.

C. Given the very deep issues the VA continues to face to this day, this is most definitely NOT a viable solution and never should’ve been considered.