S.1245

S. 1245

April 1 (

legislative day

, March 31), 2025

Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Van Hollen, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents; TITLE I—DEFINING MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA; 101. Report on military sexual trauma in the digital age; TITLE II—DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND CLAIMS PROCESSING; 201. Definition of military sexual trauma; 202. Conforming changes relating to specialized teams to evaluate claims involving military sexual trauma; 203. Evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma; 204. Choice of location of Department of Veterans Affairs medical examination for assessment of claims for compensation relating to disability resulting from military sexual trauma; 205. Communications from the Department of Veterans Affairs to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma; 206. Study on training and processing relating to claims for disability compensation relating to military sexual trauma; 207. Annual special focus review of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma; 208. Workgroup on medical examinations for claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma; TITLE III—ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE; 301. Expansion of eligibility for counseling and treatment for military sexual trauma to include all former members of the reserve components of the armed forces; 302. Connection to veterans health administration when a disability claim related to military sexual trauma is submitted to veterans benefits administration; 303. Care relating to military sexual trauma for individuals who withdraw from or otherwise do not complete service at service academies