Summary

Expands benefits for National Guard members injured while on State active duty. If a Guard member becomes disabled during State-ordered duty, that disability can now qualify them for military disability retirement, and they can receive VA hospital care and medical services for that condition and related issues. Retired pay may be reduced to prevent double payment when the same disability is covered by other Federal or State benefits. VA care is limited to available appropriations, and any reimbursement to VA comes only after reasonable third‑party claims (like insurance or workers’ compensation) are pursued first.

Key Points

• Lets disabilities incurred on State active duty qualify a Guard member for military disability retirement.
• Authorizes VA hospital care and medical services for Guard members disabled on State active duty for that condition and related issues.
• Defines “State active duty” by reference to 38 U.S.C. 4303.
• Permits the Secretary to reduce retired pay to prevent duplicate disability payments from Federal or State sources.
• VA may provide care only as far as Congress appropriates funds for this purpose.
• VA reimbursement comes only after reasonable third‑party claims are pursued (payer‑of‑last‑resort approach).
• Includes a clerical update to add the new VA section to the chapter’s table of sections.

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