Since I work with veterans, I'm reading through this thread with great interest. I'm wondering if the concept of "combat related" applies to all service members who are deployed to a combat theater, whether they are involved in direct combat actions or in support positions. From what I understand, a guy who served in Vietnam who 40 years later has prostate cancer (presumptive for Agent Orange exposure), would be able to receive both his retirement income and his VA SC award, since the Agent Orange exposure happened as a result of being deployed to a combat zone. Wouldn't the same be true for soldiers in the current combat zone? After all, I believe the intent is to separate out those claims for soldiers who are service-connected for breaking their ankle while playing football at Ft. Bragg, for example, from those who become injured in a war zone. Right?