A veterans group in Corpus Christi, Texas, are seeking to revive legislation that would offer full property tax exemptions to all Purple Heart recipients in their state, even if they do not meet the Department of Veterans Affairs’ 100% disability threshold.
KRISTV.com reports the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 598 raised concern that the current system does not pay proper tribute to veterans. Under Texas law, only veterans with a 100% VA disability rating can receive a full exemption from property taxes, while those with lower ratings can receive partial relief. However, the veterans’ group argued the rating system comes with flaws.
“To illustrate, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities assigns 40% for a below-the-knee amputation and 60% for an above-the-knee amputation,” said Ryan Morse, adjunct for MOPH 598. “Even with such permanent loss, a veteran may not receive the full exemption unless rated at 100%.”
“I personally know a veteran who’s missing a limb and is only rated at 70%,” added Skyler Barker, commander of MOPH 598. “A disproportionate amount of our Vietnam veterans who were drafted to go to war, and because they went there, shed blood for our country and came back with Purple Hearts and not paperwork they fall underneath that 100 percent threshold.”
Barker stated the group is conducting a statewide survey to identify Purple Heart recipients and provide legislators with input on how this measure could positively impact their current situations. The goal of this effort is to have a bill before the legislature when it returns for its 2027 session.
“We’re just trying to bridge that gap,” Barker said. “Those of us who went to combat and, beyond any reasonable doubt, shed blood for this country, we deserve that equal recognition.”
