Is there support for Veterans disability pay raises in the Senate?

2016-05-31T20:40:13-04:00

The short answer is yes. I have spoken to Senators Tillis and Rounds offices directly about their support for the American Heroes COLA Act and the three changes to the bill. 1. Giving veterans who have a service connected disability rating a 25% disability pay increase not related to COLA. 2. Give veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 60% or more Quality Of life payments make payment proportional to the veteran's disability rating and allowing for back payment. Three years for those who are 100% or less and five years for those that are permanent and total disabled. 3. Allow veterans who are not receiving military retirement or pension that have a service connected disability of 100% or permanent and total to receive the maximum amount of VA pension. Allowing for back pay three years for 100% and five years for permanent and total disabled veterans. The Senators are supporting the bill and the changes and are currently working on paying for the bill. All the Democratic Senators on the VA oversight committee wrote me back jointly support the bill and the changes. But that's not enough to pass it out of committee. So I contacted Senator Cassidy and Senator Sullivan for the third time to get their support but they have not yet replied. Chairman isakson has refused to reply or except my phone calls. I have heard from non committee members with their support of the bill and the changes the only question is a bipartisan pay for. The Senators seem to believe that the pay for will be a minor issue in passing this bill and the changes. However we need you to continue to write your Senators emails and make those phone calls. Because nothing is said and done until the bill is set in law.

Response by SSgt Charles Freeman made May 31 at 2016 8:59 PM

2016-05-31T20:59:35-04:00

Hell I would be happy with a 1% cola raise.......lol. Actually I would be happy if they just remembered we're out here.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made May 31 at 2016 9:02 PM

2016-05-31T21:02:45-04:00

LCpl. I wish I could say you would hear back from Isakson but just not sure. He is my Senator and I have written him a lot. What I usually get back is policial talk. Very seldom will you get straight answers. Or the answers won't mean nothing. He is a Republican and you know how they just lay down over the last 4 years. This after give us the majority so we can do something. There is't anyone of any note running against him so he gets another 6 years of the easy life.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 9:05 PM

2016-05-31T21:05:45-04:00

Thank you for the info and I will contact mine as well.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 31 at 2016 9:15 PM

2016-05-31T21:15:12-04:00

How about allowing those of us who ARE retired to receive both disability and our retirement payments even if under 50%?

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jun 1 at 2016 2:55 AM

2016-06-01T02:55:34-04:00

LCpl Timothy McCain - It is good to hear about what you are involved with. Also, could you offer a quick explanation as to what Quality Of Life refers to because I haven't heard about it before. Thanks

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Jun 1 at 2016 1:21 PM

2016-06-01T13:21:43-04:00

This is interesting news. My two major S/C medical conditions have me at a 70% rating, so the double bump would be damned nice. But like SSgt Charles Freeman said, I'd just about settle for the slight COLA increase. Sheesh.

Response by LCpl Timothy McCain made Jun 1 at 2016 7:13 PM

2016-06-01T19:13:56-04:00

To correct myself and pay honor to the truth and full disclosure. I received a email from Senator Rounds' office reminding me that the Senator will likely support the bill and the changes if offsets could be found. But we still would like to thank the Senator's office for being willing to speak the truth and talk to us directly.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 6:46 AM

2016-06-02T06:46:16-04:00

Everyone wants a raise, as well I could use a raise in my VA disability. How many of us the time to write a short note to your congressman? If all veterans will do so it will help to get the BILL out of committee and get it back on the floor to get it passed. I all so would like to have retirement and disability payments. Currently VA deducts from my retired pay and gives it back tax free,