MST Claims Coordination Act
Bill: H.R.7335 | Sponsor: Rep. Luria, Elaine G. (D-VA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
MST Claims Coordination Act
This act modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process for claims related to military sexual trauma (MST).
During or immediately after a medical examination, hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or other relevant event, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) must coordinate with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide veterans who elect to receive materials with outreach letters, information on the Veterans Crisis Line, information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider, and other information on available resources relating to MST. Additionally, the VHA and the VBA must provide such materials with the determination the VA provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation.
In a claim for compensation arising from MST experienced by a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and consents to the notification system, the VBA must automatically notify the VHA before the veteran (1) participates in a medical examination, hearing, or other relevant event; or (2) receives a determination from the VA in connection with the claim for compensation.

[117th Congress Public Law 303]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 136 STAT. 4387]]

Public Law 117-303
117th Congress

                                 An Act


 
 To improve coordination between the Veterans Health Administration and 
    the Veterans Benefits Administration with respect to claims for 
    compensation arising from military sexual trauma, and for other 
            purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 27, 2022 -  [H.R. 7335]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: MST Claims 
Coordination Act. 38 USC 1166 note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``MST Claims Coordination Act''.
SEC. 2. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND VETERANS BENEFITS 
                    ADMINISTRATION COORDINATION FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS 
                    ARISING FROM MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

    (a) Coordinated Provision of Materials.--
            (1) Required materials.--During or immediately after each 
        covered event, and together with each covered document, in a 
        claim for compensation arising from military sexual trauma 
        experienced by a covered individual, the Under Secretary for 
        Benefits of the Veterans Benefits Administration, in 
        coordination with the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans 
        Health Administration, shall provide, to the covered 
        individual--
                    (A) outreach letters;
                    (B) information on the Veterans Crisis Line;
                    (C) information on how to make an appointment with a 
                mental health provider; and
                    (D) other information on available resources 
                relating to military sexual trauma (including 
                information on military sexual trauma coordinators of 
                the Veterans Health Administration, mental health 
                providers trained in military sexual trauma issues, and 
                peer support specialists).
            (2) Format of materials.--Materials described in paragraph 
        (1) may be provided electronically.

    (b) Automatic Notification System.--In a claim for compensation 
arising from military sexual trauma experienced by a veteran, if the 
veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, 
and consents to the notification system under this subsection, the Under 
Secretary for Benefits shall automatically notify the Under Secretary 
for Health shortly before the veteran--
            (1) participates in any covered event; or
            (2) receives any covered document.

    (c) Implementation Deadline.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall implement this Act not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

[[Page 136 STAT. 4388]]

    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``compensation'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) The term ``covered document'' means a determination 
        (including a rating determination) that the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs provides to the claimant in connection with a 
        claim for compensation.
            (3) The term ``covered event'' includes, with respect to a 
        claim for compensation--
                    (A) a medical examination under section 5103A of 
                title 38, United States Code;
                    (B) a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals 
                under section 7107 of such title; and
                    (C) any other event determined relevant by the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            (4) The term ``covered individual'' means a former member of 
        the Armed Forces (as that term is defined in section 1720D of 
        title 38, United States Code) who elects to receive materials 
        under subsection (a).
            (5) The term ``military sexual trauma'' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 1166 of title 38, United States Code.
            (6) The term ``Veterans Crisis Line'' means the toll-free 
        hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of title 
        38, United States Code.

    Approved December 27, 2022.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 7335:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):
            May 18, considered and passed House.
            Dec. 19, considered and passed Senate.

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