Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID-19 Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-89
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Disability and paralysis
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health information and medical records
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: 

Ensuring Survivor Benefits During COVID-19 Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to get a medical opinion to determine if a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of death in situations where a veteran's death certificate identifies COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) as the principal or contributory cause of death, the certificate does not clearly identify any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities as the principal or contributory cause of death, and a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation is filed with respect to the veteran.

action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID-19 Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain a medical opinion that determines whether a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of death for a veteran who died from COVID-19.
 
Specifically, the VA must obtain this determination before notifying a claimant for survivor benefits of the final decision regarding such benefits in any case where
 
 
a dependency and indemnity compensation claim is filed in relation to a veteran with one or more service-connected disabilities who dies,
 
the death certificate for the veteran identifies COVID-19 as the principal or contributory cause of death,
 
the death certificate does not clearly identify any of the service-connected disabilities as the principal or contributory cause of death,
 
the veteran's service-connected disability includes a condition more likely to cause severe illness from COVID-19,
 
the claimant is not entitled to certain dependency and indemnity compensation benefits, and
 
the evidence to support the claim does not result in a preliminary finding in favor of the claimant.
 
 
The VA must provide information to veterans, their dependents, and veterans service organizations about applying for dependency and indemnity compensation when a veteran dies from COVID-19. Such information must be available through the VA's website and via other outreach mechanisms.
 

action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID-19 Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain a medical opinion that determines whether a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of death for a veteran who died from COVID-19.
 
Specifically, the VA must obtain this determination before notifying a claimant for survivor benefits of the final decision regarding such benefits in any case where
 
 
a dependency and indemnity compensation claim is filed in relation to a veteran with one or more service-connected disabilities who dies,
 
the death certificate for the veteran identifies COVID-19 as the principal or contributory cause of death,
 
the death certificate does not clearly identify any of the service-connected disabilities as the principal or contributory cause of death,
 
the veteran's service-connected disability includes a condition more likely to cause severe illness from COVID-19,
 
the claimant is not entitled to certain dependency and indemnity compensation benefits, and
 
the evidence to support the claim does not result in a preliminary finding in favor of the claimant.
 
 
The VA must provide information to veterans, their dependents, and veterans service organizations about applying for dependency and indemnity compensation when a veteran dies from COVID-19. Such information must be available through the VA's website and via other outreach mechanisms.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-26
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2021-07-26
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2021-07-26
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-05-26
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate