I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2576 
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. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 1, 2025 
Ms. PINGREE (for herself, Ms. TOKUDA, Mrs. CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, Mrs. 
RAMIREZ, Mrs. DINGELL, and Mr. MRVAN) introduced the following bill; 
which was 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 Af-
fairs for military sexual trauma, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Sup-
port Act of 2025’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
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TITLE I—DEFINING MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA 
Sec. 101. Report on military sexual trauma in the digital age. 
TITLE II—DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND CLAIMS PROCESSING 
Sec. 201. Definition of military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 202. Conforming changes relating to specialized teams to evaluate claims 
involving military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 203. Evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 204. Choice of location of Department of Veterans Affairs medical exam-
ination for assessment of claims for compensation relating to 
disability resulting from military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 205. Communications from the Department of Veterans Affairs to individ-
uals who have experienced military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 206. Study on training and processing relating to claims for disability 
compensation relating to military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 207. Annual special focus review of claims for disability compensation for 
disabilities relating to military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 208. Workgroup on medical examinations for claims for disability com-
pensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma. 
TITLE III—ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE 
Sec. 301. Expansion of eligibility for counseling and treatment for military sex-
ual trauma to include all former members of the reserve com-
ponents of the armed forces. 
Sec. 302. Connection to veterans health administration when a disability claim 
related to military sexual trauma is submitted to veterans ben-
efits administration. 
Sec. 303. Care relating to military sexual trauma for individuals who withdraw 
from or otherwise do not complete service at service academies. 
TITLE I—DEFINING MILITARY 
SEXUAL TRAUMA 
SEC. 101. REPORT ON MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA IN THE 
DIGITAL AGE. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
on military sexual trauma in the digital age. 
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(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The report required under 
subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) A comprehensive evaluation and assessment 
of current Department of Veterans Affairs statutes, 
regulations, and agency guidance relating to military 
sexual trauma for the purposes of access to health 
care under chapter 17 of title 38, United States 
Code, and compensation under chapter 11 of such 
title to identify— 
(A) gaps in coverage for health care and 
compensation eligibility relating to military sex-
ual trauma involving online or other techno-
logical communications; and 
(B) the feasibility and advisability of ex-
panding health care and compensation for trau-
ma that is nonsexual in nature involving online 
or other technological communications. 
(2) Recommendations for revising statutes, reg-
ulations, and agency guidance in response to the 
evaluation and assessment under paragraph (1). 
(c) CONSULTATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult 
veterans service organizations and such other stake-
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holders as the Secretary considers relevant and ap-
propriate. 
(2) RELATION TO FACA.—Chapter 10 of title 5, 
United States Code, shall not apply to paragraph 
(1). 
(d) MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘military sexual trauma’’— 
(1) with respect to eligibility for health care, 
has the meaning given such term in section 
1720D(f) of title 38, United States Code, as added 
by section 301; and 
(2) with respect to eligibility for compensation, 
has the meaning given such term in section 1166A(i) 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 
203(a). 
TITLE 
II—DISABILITY 
COM-
PENSATION 
AND 
CLAIMS 
PROCESSING 
SEC. 201. DEFINITION OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
In this title, the term ‘‘military sexual trauma’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 1166A(i) of title 
38, United States Code, as added by section 203(a). 
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SEC. 202. CONFORMING CHANGES RELATING TO SPECIAL-
IZED TEAMS TO EVALUATE CLAIMS INVOLV-
ING MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
Section 1166 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘for com-
pensation for a covered mental health condition’’ 
and inserting ‘‘for compensation for a condition, 
which may include a covered mental health condi-
tion,’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (d) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘cov-
ered mental health condition’ and ‘military sexual trauma’ 
have the meanings given those terms in section 1166A(i) 
of this title.’’. 
SEC. 203. EVALUATION OF CLAIMS INVOLVING MILITARY 
SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter VI of chapter 11 of 
such title is amended by inserting after section 1166 the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 1166A. Evaluation of claims involving military sex-
ual trauma 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) In the case of any veteran 
who claims that a covered mental health condition based 
on military sexual trauma was incurred in or aggravated 
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by active military, naval, air, or space service, the Sec-
retary shall consider the following: 
‘‘(A) A diagnosis of such mental health condi-
tion by a mental health professional. 
‘‘(B) A link, established by medical evidence, 
between current symptoms and a military sexual 
trauma. 
‘‘(C) Credible corroborating evidence, in accord-
ance with subsections (b) and (c), that the claimed 
military sexual trauma occurred. 
‘‘(2) The reasons for granting or denying service-con-
nection in each case described in paragraph (1) shall be 
recorded in full. 
‘‘(b) NONMILITARY SOURCES
OF EVIDENCE.—(1) 
For purposes of subsection (a), evidence from sources 
other than official records of the Department of Defense 
regarding the veteran’s active military, naval, air, or space 
service may corroborate the veteran’s account of the trau-
ma. 
‘‘(2) Examples of evidence described in paragraph (1) 
include the following: 
‘‘(A) Records from law enforcement authorities, 
rape crisis centers, mental health counseling centers, 
hospitals, and physicians. 
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‘‘(B) Pregnancy tests and tests for sexually 
transmitted diseases. 
‘‘(C) Statements from family members, room-
mates, other members of the Armed Forces or vet-
erans, and clergy. 
‘‘(c) EVIDENCE OF BEHAVIOR CHANGES.—(1) For 
purposes of subsection (a), evidence of a behavior change 
following military sexual trauma is one type of relevant 
evidence that may be found in sources described in such 
subsection. 
‘‘(2) Examples of behavior changes that may be rel-
evant evidence of military sexual trauma include the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) A request for a transfer to another mili-
tary duty assignment. 
‘‘(B) Deterioration in work performance. 
‘‘(C) Substance abuse or substance use dis-
order. 
‘‘(D) Episodes of depression, panic attacks, or 
anxiety without an identifiable cause. 
‘‘(E) Unexplained economic or social behavior 
changes. 
‘‘(d) NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPLY EVI-
DENCE.—The Secretary may not deny a claim of a veteran 
for compensation under this chapter for a covered mental 
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health condition that is based on military sexual trauma 
without first— 
‘‘(1) advising the veteran that evidence de-
scribed in subsections (b) and (c) may constitute 
credible corroborating evidence of the military sexual 
trauma; and 
‘‘(2) allowing the veteran an opportunity to fur-
nish such corroborating evidence or advise the Sec-
retary of potential sources of such evidence. 
‘‘(e) REVIEW OF EVIDENCE.—In reviewing a claim 
for compensation described in subsection (a)(1), for any 
evidence identified as part of such claim that is described 
in subsection (b) or (c), the Secretary shall submit such 
evidence to such medical or mental health professional as 
the Secretary considers appropriate, including clinical and 
counseling experts employed by the Department, to obtain 
an opinion as to whether the evidence indicates that a mili-
tary sexual trauma occurred. 
‘‘(f) POINT OF CONTACT.—The Secretary shall en-
sure that each document provided to a veteran relating 
to a claim for compensation described in subsection (a)(1) 
includes contact information for an appropriate point of 
contact with the Department. 
‘‘(g) SPECIALIZED TEAMS.—The Secretary shall en-
sure that all claims for compensation described in sub-
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section (a)(1) are reviewed and processed by a specialized 
team established under section 1166 of this title. 
‘‘(h) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING APPLICA-
TION TO NONSEXUAL PERSONAL ASSAULT.—The Sec-
retary shall not construe this section as supplanting the 
standard of proof or evidence required for claims for post- 
traumatic stress disorder based on nonsexual personal as-
sault, which the Secretary shall continue to define in regu-
lation. 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered mental health condition’ 
means post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, de-
pression, or other mental health diagnosis that the 
Secretary determines to be related to military sexual 
trauma and which may be service-connected under 
section 1110 of this title. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘mental health professional’ 
means a provider in the field of mental health who 
meets the credential, licensure, education, and train-
ing requirements established by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ means, 
with respect to a veteran, a physical assault of a sex-
ual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual har-
assment that occurred while the veteran was serving 
in the active military, naval, air, or space service.’’. 
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(b) OUTREACH.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall implement, with 
input from the veteran community, an informative 
outreach program for veterans regarding the stand-
ard of proof for evaluation of claims relating to mili-
tary sexual trauma, including requirements for a 
medical examination and opinion. 
(2) TARGETED
OUTREACH.—In implementing 
the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall, to the extent practicable, target outreach to 
veterans who submitted a claim relating to military 
sexual trauma that was denied. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 1166 the 
following new item: 
‘‘1166A. Evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma.’’. 
SEC. 204. CHOICE OF LOCATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR 
ASSESSMENT OF CLAIMS FOR COMPENSA-
TION RELATING TO DISABILITY RESULTING 
FROM MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1165 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended— 
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(1) in the section heading, by inserting ‘‘and 
location of medical examination’’ after ‘‘ex-
aminer’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘a physical as-
sault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, 
or sexual harassment’’ and inserting ‘‘military sexual 
trauma (as defined in section 1166A(i) of this 
title)’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (d); and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing new subsection (c): 
‘‘(c) CHOICE
OF EXAMINATION LOCATION.—The 
Secretary shall ensure that a veteran who requires a med-
ical examination in support of a claim described in sub-
section (a) may request that the medical examination take 
place at a medical facility of the Department by a qualified 
employee of the Department rather than at a location des-
ignated by a contractor of the Department that performs 
such examinations on behalf of the Department.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 1165 and inserting 
the following new item: 
‘‘1165. Choice of sex of medical examiner and location of medical examination 
for certain disabilities.’’. 
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SEC. 205. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO 
HAVE 
EXPERIENCED 
MILITARY 
SEXUAL 
TRAUMA. 
(a) REVIEW WORKGROUP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall establish a workgroup to review cor-
respondence relating to military sexual trauma. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The workgroup established 
under paragraph (1) shall be composed of members 
who shall be appointed by the Secretary from among 
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
who are experts in military sexual trauma and men-
tal health, of whom— 
(A) one or more shall be appointed from 
among mental health providers of the Veterans 
Health Administration; 
(B) one or more shall be appointed from 
among experts on sexual assault and sexual 
harassment of the Veterans Benefits Adminis-
tration; and 
(C) one or more shall be appointed from 
among experts on sexual assault and sexual 
harassment of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. 
(3) DUTIES.—The workgroup established under 
paragraph (1) shall— 
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(A) review standard correspondence, which 
may include templates for notices under sec-
tions 5103, 5104, 5104B, and 7104 of title 38, 
United States Code, from the Department to 
individuals who have experienced military sex-
ual trauma for sensitivity; and 
(B) ensure that the correspondence— 
(i) treats such individuals with dignity 
and respect; and 
(ii) does not re-traumatize such indi-
viduals. 
(4) INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS EXPERIENCED MILI-
TARY
SEXUAL
TRAUMA
DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘‘individual who has experienced 
military sexual trauma’’ means— 
(A) an individual who has filed a claim for 
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, 
United States Code, relating to military sexual 
trauma; 
(B) a veteran who has been awarded com-
pensation under such chapter relating to mili-
tary sexual trauma; or 
(C) a member of the Armed Forces (in-
cluding a member of the National Guard or Re-
serves), a former member of the Armed Forces, 
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or a veteran who is receiving care from the De-
partment relating to military sexual trauma. 
(b) CONTENTS OF CERTAIN WRITTEN COMMUNICA-
TIONS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED MILI-
TARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.— 
(1) NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS OF REQUIRED IN-
FORMATION AND EVIDENCE.—Section 5103 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS 
WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED MILITARY SEXUAL TRAU-
MA.—(1) The Secretary shall ensure that any written com-
munication under this section from the Department to an 
individual who has experienced military sexual trauma in-
cludes each of the following: 
‘‘(A) Contact information for each of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) The military sexual trauma coordi-
nator of the Veterans Benefits Administration. 
‘‘(ii) The military sexual trauma coordi-
nator of the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(iii) The Veterans Crisis Line. 
‘‘(iv) The facility of the Veterans Health 
Administration closest to where the individual 
resides. 
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‘‘(v) The Vet Center closest to where the 
individual resides. 
‘‘(B) Information on the eligibility of the indi-
vidual for services provided through the Vet Center 
described in subparagraph (A)(v). 
‘‘(2) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘individual who has experienced 
military sexual trauma’ means— 
‘‘(i) an individual who has filed a claim for 
compensation under chapter 11 of this title re-
lating to military sexual trauma; 
‘‘(ii) a veteran who has been awarded com-
pensation under such chapter relating to mili-
tary sexual trauma; or 
‘‘(iii) a member of the Armed Forces (in-
cluding a member of the National Guard or Re-
serves), a former member of the Armed Forces, 
or a veteran who is receiving care from the De-
partment relating to military sexual trauma. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1166A(i) of this 
title. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘Vet Center’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title. 
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‘‘(D) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means 
the toll-free hotline for veterans established under 
section 1720F(h) of this title.’’. 
(2) DECISIONS AND NOTICES OF DECISIONS.— 
Section 5104 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(e)(1) The Secretary shall ensure that any written 
communication under this section from the Department 
to an individual who has experienced military sexual trau-
ma includes each of the following: 
‘‘(A) Contact information for each of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) The military sexual trauma coordi-
nator of the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(ii) The Veterans Crisis Line. 
‘‘(iii) The facility of the Veterans Health 
Administration closest to where the individual 
resides. 
‘‘(iv) The Vet Center closest to where the 
individual resides. 
‘‘(B) Information on the eligibility of the indi-
vidual for services provided through the Vet Center 
described in subparagraph (A)(iv). 
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‘‘(2) The Secretary shall ensure that any written 
communication under this section from the Department 
to an individual who has experienced military sexual trau-
ma that includes notification of an award of compensation 
under chapter 11 of this title relating to military sexual 
trauma includes— 
‘‘(A) the contact information described in para-
graph (1); and 
‘‘(B) the contact information for the military 
sexual trauma coordinator of the Veterans Benefits 
Administration. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘individual who has experienced 
military sexual trauma’ means— 
‘‘(i) an individual who has filed a claim for 
compensation under chapter 11 of this title re-
lating to military sexual trauma; 
‘‘(ii) a veteran who has been awarded com-
pensation under such chapter relating to mili-
tary sexual trauma; or 
‘‘(iii) a member of the Armed Forces (in-
cluding a member of the National Guard or Re-
serves), a former member of the Armed Forces, 
or a veteran who is receiving care from the De-
partment relating to military sexual trauma. 
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‘‘(B) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1166A(i) of this 
title. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘Vet Center’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title. 
‘‘(D) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means 
the toll-free hotline for veterans established under 
section 1720F(h) of this title.’’. 
(3) HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEW BY THE AGENCY OF 
ORIGINAL
JURISDICTION.—Section 5104B of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS 
WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED MILITARY SEXUAL TRAU-
MA.—(1) The Secretary shall ensure that any written com-
munication under this section from the Department to an 
individual who has experienced military sexual trauma in-
cludes each of the following: 
‘‘(A) Contact information for each of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) The military sexual trauma coordi-
nator of the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(ii) The Veterans Crisis Line. 
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‘‘(iii) The facility of the Veterans Health 
Administration closest to where the individual 
resides. 
‘‘(iv) The Vet Center closest to where the 
individual resides. 
‘‘(B) Information on the eligibility of the indi-
vidual for services provided through the Vet Center 
described in subparagraph (A)(iv). 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall ensure that any written 
communication under this section from the Department 
to an individual who has experienced military sexual trau-
ma that includes notification of an award of compensation 
under chapter 11 of this title relating to military sexual 
trauma includes— 
‘‘(A) the contact information described in para-
graph (1); and 
‘‘(B) the contact information for the military 
sexual trauma coordinator of the Veterans Benefits 
Administration. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘individual who has experienced 
military sexual trauma’ means— 
‘‘(i) an individual who has filed a claim for 
compensation under chapter 11 of this title re-
lating to military sexual trauma; 
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‘‘(ii) a veteran who has been awarded com-
pensation under such chapter relating to mili-
tary sexual trauma; or 
‘‘(iii) a member of the Armed Forces (in-
cluding a member of the National Guard or Re-
serves), a former member of the Armed Forces, 
or a veteran who is receiving care from the De-
partment relating to military sexual trauma. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1166A(i) of this 
title. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘Vet Center’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title. 
‘‘(D) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means 
the toll-free hotline for veterans established under 
section 1720F(h) of this title.’’. 
(4) BOARD OF VETERANS’ APPEALS.—Section 
7104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g)(1) The Secretary shall ensure that any written 
communication under this section from the Department 
to an individual who has experienced military sexual trau-
ma include each of the following: 
‘‘(A) Contact information for each of the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘(i) The military sexual trauma coordi-
nator of the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(ii) The Veterans Crisis Line. 
‘‘(iii) The facility of the Veterans Health 
Administration closest to where the individual 
resides. 
‘‘(iv) The Vet Center closest to where the 
individual resides. 
‘‘(B) Information on the eligibility of the indi-
vidual for services provided through the Vet Center 
described in subparagraph (A)(iv). 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall ensure that any written 
communication under this section from the Department 
to an individual who has experienced military sexual trau-
ma that includes notification of an award of compensation 
under chapter 11 of this title relating to military sexual 
trauma includes— 
‘‘(A) the contact information described in para-
graph (1); and 
‘‘(B) the contact information for the military 
sexual trauma coordinator of the Veterans Benefits 
Administration. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘individual who has experienced 
military sexual trauma’ means— 
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‘‘(i) an individual who has filed a claim for 
compensation under chapter 11 of this title re-
lating to military sexual trauma; 
‘‘(ii) a veteran who has been awarded com-
pensation under such chapter relating to mili-
tary sexual trauma; or 
‘‘(iii) a member of the Armed Forces (in-
cluding a member of the National Guard or Re-
serves), a former member of the Armed Forces, 
or a veteran who is receiving care from the De-
partment relating to military sexual trauma. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1166A(i) of this 
title. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘Vet Center’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title. 
‘‘(D) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means 
the toll-free hotline for veterans established under 
section 1720F(h) of this title.’’. 
SEC. 206. STUDY ON TRAINING AND PROCESSING RELAT-
ING TO CLAIMS FOR DISABILITY COMPENSA-
TION RELATING TO MILITARY SEXUAL TRAU-
MA. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall conduct a study on— 
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comport with generally accepted statistical 
methodologies to ensure reasonable accuracy of 
such reviews. 
(B) Whether such procedures adequately 
include mechanisms to correct errors found in 
such reviews. 
(C) A summary of quality assurance re-
views and reports conducted as part of such 
procedures. 
(D) Such recommendations as the Sec-
retary may have for improving such procedures. 
(c) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives a report detailing the findings 
of the Secretary with respect to the study conducted under 
subsection (a). 
SEC. 207. ANNUAL SPECIAL FOCUS REVIEW OF CLAIMS FOR 
DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR DISABIL-
ITIES RELATING TO MILITARY SEXUAL TRAU-
MA. 
(a) ANNUAL SPECIAL FOCUS REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each year, the Under Sec-
retary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans 
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Affairs shall conduct a special focus review on the 
accuracy of the processing of claims for disability 
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United 
States Code, for disabilities relating to military sex-
ual trauma. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each review conducted under 
paragraph (1) shall include a review of the following: 
(A) A statistically significant, nationally 
representative sample of all claims for benefits 
under the laws administered by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs relating to military sexual 
trauma filed during the fiscal year preceding 
the fiscal year in which the report is submitted. 
(B) The accuracy of each decision made 
with respect to each claim described in subpara-
graph (A). 
(C) The types of benefit entitlement errors 
found, disaggregated by category. 
(D) Trends from year to year. 
(E) Training completion rates for per-
sonnel of the Department who process claims 
described in paragraph (1). 
(b) REPROCESSING OF CLAIMS.—If the Under Sec-
retary finds, pursuant to a special focus review conducted 
under subsection (a)(1), that an error was made with re-
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spect to the entitlement of a veteran to a benefit under 
the laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall 
return the relevant claim of the veteran to the appropriate 
office of the Department for reprocessing to ensure that 
the veteran receives an accurate decision with respect to 
the claim. 
(c) REPORT.—Section 5501(b) of the Johnny Isakson 
and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Bene-
fits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–315; 134 
Stat. 5048) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘through 
2027’’ and inserting ‘‘until the date described in sec-
tion 207(d) of the Servicemembers and Veterans 
Empowerment and Support Act of 2025’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(I) The findings of the most recent spe-
cial focus review conducted under subsection 
(a)(1) of section 207 of the Servicemembers 
and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act 
of 2025, including— 
‘‘(i) the elements under subsection 
(a)(2) of such section; 
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‘‘(ii) the number of claims returned 
for reprocessing under subsection (b) of 
such section; and 
‘‘(iii) the number of claims described 
in clause (ii) for which the decision relat-
ing to service-connection or entitlement to 
compensation changed as a result of re-
processing the claim.’’. 
(d) SUNSET.—On the date that the Under Secretary 
determines, pursuant to special focus reviews conducted 
under paragraph (1) of subsection (a), that the accuracy 
rates under paragraph (2)(B) of such subsection have 
been 95 percent or greater for five consecutive years, sub-
section (a)(1) shall cease to be in effect. 
SEC. 208. WORKGROUP ON MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR 
CLAIMS 
FOR 
DISABILITY 
COMPENSATION 
FOR DISABILITIES RELATING TO MILITARY 
SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall establish a workgroup on medical ex-
aminations for claims for disability compensation under 
chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for disabilities 
relating to military sexual trauma (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘workgroup’’). 
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(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The workgroup shall be com-
posed of the following: 
(1) Staff of the operations center for military 
sexual trauma of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs who have experience reviewing the quality of 
medical examinations in support of claims for dis-
ability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(2) Staff of the Medical Disability Examination 
Office of the Department. 
(3) Veterans service officers who have experi-
ence with claims described in subsection (a). 
(4) Medical examiners who have experience with 
such claims. 
(5) Staff of the Veterans Experience Office of 
the Department. 
(6) Such other individuals as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
(c) DUTIES.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Workgroup shall— 
(1) review the quality of medical examinations 
described in subsection (a); 
(2) review the feasibility of minimizing re-ex-
aminations for conditions relating to military sexual 
trauma; and 
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(3) submit to the Under Secretary for Benefits 
of the Department and the Secretary recommenda-
tions on how to— 
(A) eliminate re-traumatization of individ-
uals who file claims described in subsection (a); 
and 
(B) reduce the overdevelopment of such 
claims. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report that includes the following: 
(1) The views of the workgroup on efforts by 
the Department to eliminate re-traumatization of in-
dividuals who file claims described in subsection (a). 
(2) Legislative proposals to improve the experi-
ence of such individuals in pursuing such claims. 
(3) The recommendations submitted under sub-
section (c)(3). 
(4) The plan of the Under Secretary for Bene-
fits of the Department and the Secretary to imple-
ment such recommendations. 
(e) REVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department and the 
Secretary shall— 
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SEC. 303. CARE RELATING TO MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA 
FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WITHDRAW FROM OR 
OTHERWISE DO NOT COMPLETE SERVICE AT 
SERVICE ACADEMIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of 
Transportation, shall ensure that each individual who 
withdraws from, or otherwise does not complete service at, 
a service academy is provided— 
(1) information on the potential eligibility of 
such individual for care and counseling relating to 
military sexual trauma provided through the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; and 
(2) the option to receive copies of— 
(A) the individual’s service treatment 
records or military personnel records that docu-
ment military sexual trauma; 
(B) reporting forms of the Department of 
Defense, the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity, or the Department of Transportation on 
sexual assault or sexual harassment for which 
the individual was the victim; and 
(C) any investigative reports into military 
sexual trauma that occurred during the individ-
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ual’s service in the Armed Forces and for which 
the individual was the victim. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) MILITARY
SEXUAL
TRAUMA.—The term 
‘‘military sexual trauma’’— 
(A) with respect to eligibility for health 
care, has the meaning given such term in sec-
tion 1720D(f) of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by section 301; and 
(B) with respect to eligibility for com-
pensation, has the meaning given such term in 
section 1166A(i) of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by section 203(a). 
(2) SERVICE
ACADEMY.—The term ‘‘service 
academy’’ means any of the following: 
(A) The United States Military Academy. 
(B) The United States Naval Academy. 
(C) The United States Air Force Academy. 
(D) The United Stated Coast Guard Acad-
emy. 
(E) The United States Merchant Marine 
Academy. 
Æ 
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