I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2441 
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 
MARCH 30, 2023 
Ms. PINGREE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed 
Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
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 2023’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
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. 
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 Vet-
erans Benefits Administration. 
Sec. 303. Pilot program for interim access to mental health care for individuals 
who have experienced military sexual trauma. 
Sec. 304. Comptroller General study on access to care from Department of Vet-
erans Affairs for individuals who have experienced military sex-
ual trauma. 
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.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult veterans 
service organizations and such other stakeholders as the 
Secretary considers relevant and appropriate. 
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(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 1169(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 1169(i) of title 
38, United States Code, as added by section 203(a). 
SEC. 202. CONFORMING CHANGES RELATING TO SPECIAL-
IZED TEAMS TO EVALUATE CLAIMS INVOLV-
ING MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
Subsection (d) of section 1166 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘cov-
ered mental health condition’ and ‘military sexual trauma’ 
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have the meanings given those terms in section 1169(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 
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 supporting 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. 
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‘‘(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. 
‘‘(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: 
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‘‘(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 
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 
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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-
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 
posttraumatic stress disorder based on nonsexual personal 
assault, which the Secretary shall continue to define in 
regulation. 
‘‘(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 
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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.’’. 
(b) OUTREACH.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall implement, with input from the veteran 
community, an informative outreach program for veterans 
regarding the standard of proof for evaluation of claims 
relating to military sexual trauma, including requirements 
for a medical examination and opinion. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1166 the following new 
item: 
‘‘1166A. Evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma.’’. 
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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— 
(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.—(1) 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-
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ignated by a Department contractor that performs such 
examinations on behalf of the Department. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall grant any request under paragraph 
(1) if a medical facility of the Department is avail-
able not further than 100 miles from the veteran’s 
home; and 
‘‘(B) may not issue a decision on a claim de-
scribed in such paragraph before the requested ex-
amination is completed, or notice is provided per 
paragraph (c)(3). 
‘‘(3) If a medical facility of the Department is not 
available within 100 miles of the veteran’s home, the Sec-
retary shall notify the veteran and provide the veteran the 
opportunity— 
‘‘(A) to have the examination completed by a 
contractor of the Department; or 
‘‘(B) to complete the examination at a medical 
facility further than 100 miles from the veteran’s 
home.’’. 
(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 BOARD.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall establish a board to review correspond-
ence relating to military sexual trauma. 
(2) 
MEMBERSHIP.—The 
board 
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 board 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) a veteran 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 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) 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 contact information for each of the following: 
‘‘(A) The military sexual trauma coordinator of 
the Veterans Benefits Administration. 
‘‘(B) The military sexual trauma coordinator of 
the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(C) The Veterans Crisis Line. 
‘‘(D) The facility of the Veterans Health Ad-
ministration closest to where the individual resides. 
‘‘(2) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘individual who has experienced 
military sexual trauma’ means— 
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‘‘(i) a veteran 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 former member of the Armed 
Forces or a veteran who is receiving care from 
the Department relating to military sexual trau-
ma. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1166A(i) of this 
title. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means the 
toll-free hotline for veterans established under sec-
tion 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 contact information for each of the following: 
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‘‘(A) The military sexual trauma coordinator of 
the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(B) The Veterans Crisis Line. 
‘‘(C) The facility of the Veterans Health Ad-
ministration closest to where the individual resides. 
‘‘(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) a veteran 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 
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‘‘(iii) a former member of the Armed 
Forces or a veteran who is receiving care from 
the Department relating to military sexual trau-
ma. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1166A(i) of this 
title. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means the 
toll-free hotline for veterans established under sec-
tion 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 contact information for each of the following: 
‘‘(A) The military sexual trauma coordinator of 
the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(B) The Veterans Crisis Line. 
‘‘(C) The facility of the Veterans Health Ad-
ministration closest to where the individual resides. 
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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) a veteran 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 former member of the Armed 
Forces or a veteran who is receiving care from 
the Department relating to military sexual trau-
ma. 
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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 ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means the 
toll-free hotline for veterans established under sec-
tion 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 includes contact information for each of the following: 
‘‘(A) The military sexual trauma coordinator of 
the Veterans Health Administration. 
‘‘(B) The Veterans Crisis Line. 
‘‘(C) The facility of the Veterans Health Ad-
ministration closest to where the individual resides. 
‘‘(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— 
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‘‘(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) a veteran 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 former member of the Armed 
Forces or a veteran who is receiving care from 
the Department relating to military sexual trau-
ma. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1166A(i) of this 
title. 
‘‘(C) The term ‘Veterans Crisis Line’ means the 
toll-free hotline for veterans established under sec-
tion 1720F(h) of this title.’’. 
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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— 
(1) the quality of training provided to personnel 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs who review 
claims for disability compensation under chapter 11 
of title 38, United States Code, for disabilities relat-
ing to military sexual trauma; and 
(2) the quality of the procedures of the Depart-
ment for reviewing the accuracy of the processing of 
such claims. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) With respect to the quality of training de-
scribed in paragraph (1) of such subsection: 
(A) Whether the Department ensures per-
sonnel complete such training on time. 
(B) Whether the training has resulted in 
improvements to the processing of claims de-
scribed in such subsection and issue-based accu-
racy. 
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(C) Such recommendations as the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs may have for improv-
ing the training. 
(2) With respect to the quality of procedures 
described in paragraph (2) of such subsection: 
(A) Whether the procedures of the Depart-
ment for reviewing the accuracy of the proc-
essing of claims described in such subsection 
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) 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). 
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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 
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. 
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(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-
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 
regional office of the Department for reprocessing to en-
sure that the veteran receives an accurate decision with 
respect to the claim. 
(c) RE-REVIEWING OF CLAIMS.—If the Under Sec-
retary finds, pursuant to a special focus review conducted 
under paragraph (1) of subsection (a), that the accuracy 
rate, under paragraph (2)(B) of such subsection, is less 
than 90 percent, the Secretary shall conduct a review of 
each claim 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. 
(d) REPORT.—Section 5501(b)(2) of the Johnny 
Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care 
and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116– 
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315; 134 Stat. 5048) is amended 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 2023, including— 
‘‘(i) the elements under subsection 
(a)(2) of such section; 
‘‘(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.’’. 
(e) 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— 
(1) subsection (a)(1) shall cease to be in effect; 
and 
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(2) subparagraph (I) of section 5501(b)(2) of 
the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Vet-
erans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 
2020 (Public Law 116–315; 134 Stat. 5048), as 
added by subsection (d), is repealed. 
TITLE III—ACCESS TO HEALTH 
CARE 
SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR COUNSELING 
AND TREATMENT FOR MILITARY SEXUAL 
TRAUMA TO INCLUDE ALL FORMER MEM-
BERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF 
THE ARMED FORCES. 
Section 1720D of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘a phys-
ical assault’’ and all that follows through the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘military sexual 
trauma.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘was 
suffered’’ and all that follows through the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘resulted from 
military sexual trauma.’’; and 
(2) by striking subsections (f) and (g) and in-
serting the following new subsection (f): 
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‘‘(f) In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘former member of the Armed 
Forces’ means a person who served on active duty, 
active duty for training, or inactive duty training, 
and who was discharged or released therefrom under 
any condition that is not— 
‘‘(A) a discharge by court-martial; or 
‘‘(B) a discharge subject to a bar to bene-
fits under section 5303 of this title. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘military sexual trauma’ means, 
with respect to a member of the Armed Forces or 
former member of the Armed Forces, a physical as-
sault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, 
or sexual harassment which occurred while the mem-
ber or former member was serving on duty, regard-
less of duty status or line of duty determination (as 
that term is used in section 12323 of title 10). 
‘‘(3) The term ‘sexual harassment’ means unso-
licited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature 
which is threatening in character.’’. 
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SEC. 302. CONNECTION TO VETERANS HEALTH ADMINIS-
TRATION WHEN A DISABILITY CLAIM RE-
LATED TO MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA IS SUB-
MITTED TO VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINIS-
TRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 14 days after the 
date on which a veteran submits a claim for disability com-
pensation to the Veterans Benefits Administration for a 
disability related to military sexual trauma, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall send a communication to the vet-
eran with the following information: 
(1) The contact information for the nearest 
military sexual trauma coordinator for the veteran 
at the Veterans Benefits Administration and a de-
scription of the assistance such coordinator can pro-
vide. 
(2) The contact information for the nearest 
military sexual trauma coordinator for the veteran 
at the Veterans Health Administration and a de-
scription of the assistance such coordinator can pro-
vide. 
(3) The types of services that individuals who 
have experienced military sexual trauma are eligible 
to receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
including the nearest locations and the contact infor-
mation for such services. 
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(4) The contact information for the Veterans 
Crisis Line established under section 1720F(h) of 
title 38, United States Code. 
(5) Such other information on services, care, or 
resources for military sexual trauma as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate. 
(b) DEFINITION OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘military sexual trauma’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1166A(i) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by section 203(a). 
SEC. 303. PILOT PROGRAM FOR INTERIM ACCESS TO MEN-
TAL HEALTH CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO 
HAVE 
EXPERIENCED 
MILITARY 
SEXUAL 
TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Commencing not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program 
to provide intensive outpatient mental health care to cur-
rent and former members of the Armed Forces who have 
experienced military sexual trauma when the wait times 
for residential mental health care from the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for the individual is more than 14 
days. 
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(b) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
pilot program under subsection (a) for a three-year period 
beginning on the commencement of the pilot program. 
(c) LOCATIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 
out the pilot program under subsection (a) at not 
fewer than four Veterans Integrated Service Net-
works of the Department. 
(2) SELECTION OF LOCATIONS.—In selecting lo-
cations for the pilot program under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall select locations that have the 
longest wait times for residential mental health care, 
particularly for individuals who have experienced 
military sexual trauma. 
(3) NOTIFICATION.—Before commencing the 
pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall notify the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives of the locations se-
lected for the pilot program. 
(d) TYPES OF SERVICES.—Subject to the preference 
of the individual participating in the pilot program under 
subsection (a) and the capacity of facilities of the Depart-
ment, the Secretary may provide services under the pilot 
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program via telehealth or in person at a facility of the 
Department. 
(e) PARTICIPATION.— 
(1) CLARIFICATION ON PARTICIPATION.—Par-
ticipation by an individual in the pilot program 
under subsection (a) shall be during the period in 
which the individual is waiting for a residential men-
tal health bed opening and shall not disqualify the 
individual from receiving residential mental health 
care following their participation in the pilot pro-
gram. 
(2) DECISIONS ON PARTICIPATION.—Decisions 
about the participation of an individual in the pilot 
program and the transition of the individual to resi-
dential mental health care shall be made by the indi-
vidual and their health care provider. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the con-
clusion of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a report on— 
(1) participation in the pilot program; 
(2) clinical outcomes under the pilot program; 
and 
(3) such recommendations for continuation or 
termination of the program as the Secretary may 
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have, including recommendations for legislative or 
administrative action. 
(g) DEFINITION OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘military sexual trauma’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1720D(f) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by section 301. 
SEC. 304. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON ACCESS TO 
CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERI-
ENCED MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study on access to mental 
health care at facilities of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs for individuals who have experienced military sexual 
trauma. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study conducted under sub-
section (a) shall include an assessment of the following: 
(1) The availability of residential and out-
patient services, including wait times and geographic 
disparities for such services, to include— 
(A) an assessment of the availability of bed 
spaces in the mental health residential rehabili-
tation treatment programs of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for individuals who have ex-
perienced military sexual trauma, including an 
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assessment of the suitability of those programs 
for such individuals and the wait times for serv-
ices under those programs; 
(B) an assessment of geographic dispari-
ties in access to those programs for individuals 
who have experienced military sexual trauma, 
including by region and by rural and urban 
areas; 
(C) an assessment of alternative care op-
tions provided when an individual who has ex-
perienced military sexual trauma is waiting for 
residential care, the efficacy of those alter-
natives, and the satisfaction of patients with 
those alternatives; 
(D) recommendations for reducing the av-
erage wait time for services under those pro-
grams to 14 days or less, including by increas-
ing bed space or addressing staffing needs; and 
(E) an assessment of the satisfaction of 
patients with the tracks of those programs spe-
cific to military sexual trauma, an assessment 
of the wait times for services under those 
tracks, and recommendations for increasing or 
changing the number of locations for services 
under those tracks to better meet the needs of 
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individuals who have experienced military sex-
ual trauma. 
(2) The communication and advertisement by 
the Department of the care, services, and resources 
available for individuals who have experienced mili-
tary sexual trauma. 
(3) The barriers to accessing health care related 
to military sexual trauma at a facility of the Depart-
ment for individuals who have experienced military 
sexual trauma, including transportation, child care, 
lack of telehealth, gender-specific barriers, and more. 
(4) The extent to which the Secretary has as-
sessed the quality of the training provided to pro-
viders of the Department on military sexual trauma 
and made any adjustments in response to such as-
sessment. 
(5) The role of Vet Centers in providing care to 
individuals who have experienced military sexual 
trauma, including current and former members of 
the Armed Forces. 
(6) Any current actions by the Secretary to 
strengthen access to high-quality care for individuals 
who have experienced military sexual trauma and 
such recommendations for improving access to care 
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for such individuals as the Comptroller General con-
siders appropriate. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to Congress a report on the findings of the study 
conducted under subsection (a). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) MILITARY
SEXUAL
TRAUMA.—The term 
‘‘military sexual trauma’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 1720D(f) of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by section 301. 
(2) VET CENTER.—The term ‘‘Vet Center’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of 
title 38, United States Code. 
Æ 
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