South Dakota VFW Commander Urges Congress to Pass Legislation for Veterans’ Benefits
The South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) commander is urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act. This proposed legislation would allow eligible veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive their full military retirement pay concurrently with their VA…
Rapid City, SD, November 12, 2026 — The South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) commander is advocating for the passage of the Major Richard Star Act, a proposed piece of federal legislation aimed at adjusting how certain veterans receive their compensation. The commander’s call to action targets the United States Congress, urging lawmakers to support and enact the bill.
The core of the Major Richard Star Act is to address an existing offset in benefits for a specific group of veterans. Under current regulations, some veterans who are rated for combat-related disabilities may see their military retirement pay reduced by the amount they receive in VA disability compensation. This offset, often referred to as concurrent receipt, can lead to a reduction in the total financial benefit received by these service members.
If passed, the Major Richard Star Act would allow eligible veterans who have combat-related disabilities to receive their full military retirement pay concurrently with their VA disability compensation. This means that the offset would be eliminated, enabling these veterans to keep both their retirement pay and their VA compensation without a reduction.
The VFW commander’s plea highlights the impact of this legislation on veterans who have incurred disabilities while serving in combat zones. The proposed act aims to ensure that these individuals are not penalized financially for their service-connected conditions, allowing them to receive the full benefits they have earned.
The specific name of the South Dakota VFW commander was not provided in the summary. Further details regarding the timeline for congressional action or specific support levels for the bill were also not detailed.
Story summarized from the original created by Reed Langer on www.kotatv.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
