Washington, DC  -  More of Alabama’s disabled veterans may soon be eligible to receive both their retirement benefits and disability coverage under a House agreement unveiled today, Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said.

The Third District representative said the historic agreement could significantly reduce the number of veterans required to offset their retirement benefits by the amount of disability coverage they receive. Current law allows combat-related special compensation (CRSC) veterans with a Veterans Administration (VA) rating of 60% to receive full concurrent receipt. Today’s agreement would extend full benefits to CRSC veterans rated between 10-100%. Most other disabled retirees at 50% and above would become eligible over a 10-year phase-in period.

“I am pleased we are continuing to increase our support for our nation’s veterans,” Rogers said. “Today’s agreement provides a starting point for Congress to more fairly and responsibly fix this situation and help end the needless suffering of some of our county’s most noble heroes.”

The agreement, which is also being negotiated in the Senate, also extends full concurrent receipt to many of the country’s retired National Guardsmen and Reservists for the first time. Rogers is a co-sponsor of related legislation, H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003, which would permit members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation.