To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.

Bill: 117-hr-6064
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
Introduced: 2021-11-19
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses

Congressional oversight

Crime victims

Government studies and investigations

Health care quality

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Mental health

Sex offenses

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2022-12-27
text: Became Public Law No: 117-289.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-11-19
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a comprehensive review of VA medical examinations provided to individuals who submit claims for compensation for a service-connected disability related to military sexual trauma. </p> <p>Specifically, NASEM must review VA examinations that are provided for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma and are conducted to assess the impairments of individuals arising from such trauma.</p> <p>NASEM must report on its review, and the VA must report on its plans to implement actions based on NASEM's findings and recommendations.</p>

action_date: 2022-05-18
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a comprehensive review of VA medical examinations provided to individuals who submit claims for compensation for a service-connected disability related to military sexual trauma. </p> <p>Specifically, NASEM must review VA examinations that are provided for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma and are conducted to assess the impairments of individuals arising from such trauma.</p> <p>NASEM must report on its review, and the VA must report on its plans to implement actions based on NASEM's findings and recommendations.</p>

action_date: 2022-12-19
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a comprehensive review of VA medical examinations provided to individuals who submit claims for compensation for a service-connected disability related to military sexual trauma. </p> <p>Specifically, NASEM must review VA examinations that are provided for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma and are conducted to assess the impairments of individuals arising from such trauma.</p> <p>NASEM must report on its review, and the VA must report on its plans to implement actions based on NASEM's findings and recommendations.</p>

action_date: 2022-12-27
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>This act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a comprehensive review of VA medical examinations provided to individuals who submit claims for compensation for a service-connected disability related to military sexual trauma. </p> <p>Specifically, NASEM must review VA examinations that are provided for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma and are conducted to assess the impairments of individuals arising from such trauma.</p> <p>NASEM must report on its review, and the VA must report on its plans to implement actions based on NASEM's findings and recommendations.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6064 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 19, 2021 Mr. Nehls (for himself, Mr. Bost , Mrs. Luria , Mr. Bergman , Mr. Ellzey , and Mrs. Miller-Meeks ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.

1. Independent review of assessments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma for purposes of awarding disability compensation (a) Agreement Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this Act referred to as the National Academies ) to perform the services covered by this section. (b) Comprehensive review Under an agreement between the Secretary and the National Academies under this section, the National Academies shall conduct a comprehensive review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma (in this Act referred to as MST ), for the purpose of assessing the impairments of such individuals arising from MST. The review carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following elements: (1) A determination of the adequacy of tools and protocols used by the Secretary to provide examinations described in this subsection, including— (A) the Disability Benefits Questionnaires; (B) the Department’s schedule of rating disabilities; (C) consideration of whether certain conditions linked to MST should require referral for both a mental health examination and a physical health examination; and (D) the necessity of internal pelvic examinations to diagnose certain conditions linked to MST, and whether alternatives to such examinations could be considered if a veteran objects to or cannot complete such examination. (2) A determination of what credentials and training are necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform such examinations related to physical conditions linked to MST, for men and for women, including— (A) sexual dysfunction; (B) pelvic pain; (C) pelvic dysfunction; (D) musculoskeletal disabilities; and (E) cardiovascular conditions (including stroke). (3) A determination of what credentials and training are necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform such examinations related to mental health conditions linked to MST, for men and for women. (4) An assessment of the quality of MST training for individuals who perform such examinations, including recommendations for improvements to such training. (c) Reports (1) Report of the National Academies Not later than 540 days after the date on which the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (a), the National Academies shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the comprehensive review conducted under subsection (b). Such report shall include the following elements: (A) The findings of the National Academies under subsection (b). (B) Recommendations of the National Academies regarding legislative or administrative action to improve of the adjudication of claims described in subsection (b). (2) Report of the Secretary Not later than 90 days after submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the plans of the Secretary to carry out any action based on the findings and recommendations of the National Academies.

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6064 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.

1. Independent review of assessments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma for purposes of awarding disability compensation (a) Agreement Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this Act referred to as the National Academies ) to perform the services covered by this section. (b) Comprehensive review Under an agreement between the Secretary and the National Academies under this section, the National Academies shall conduct a comprehensive review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma (in this Act referred to as MST ), for the purpose of assessing the impairments of such individuals arising from MST. The review carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following elements: (1) A determination of the adequacy of tools and protocols used by the Secretary to provide examinations described in this subsection, including— (A) the Disability Benefits Questionnaires; (B) the Department’s schedule of rating disabilities; (C) consideration of whether certain conditions linked to MST should require referral for both a mental health examination and a physical health examination; and (D) the necessity of internal pelvic examinations to diagnose certain conditions linked to MST, and whether alternatives to such examinations could be considered if a veteran objects to or cannot complete such examination. (2) A determination of what credentials and training are necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform such examinations related to physical conditions linked to MST, for men and for women, including— (A) sexual dysfunction; (B) pelvic pain; (C) pelvic dysfunction; (D) musculoskeletal disabilities; and (E) cardiovascular conditions (including stroke). (3) A determination of what credentials and training are necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform such examinations related to mental health conditions linked to MST, for men and for women. (4) An assessment of the quality of MST training for individuals who perform such examinations, including recommendations for improvements to such training. (c) Reports (1) Report of the National Academies Not later than 540 days after the date on which the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (a), the National Academies shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the comprehensive review conducted under subsection (b). Such report shall include the following elements: (A) The findings of the National Academies under subsection (b). (B) Recommendations of the National Academies regarding legislative or administrative action to improve of the adjudication of claims described in subsection (b). (2) Report of the Secretary Not later than 90 days after submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the plans of the Secretary to carry out any action based on the findings and recommendations of the National Academies.

Passed the House of Representatives May 18, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6064 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 19 (legislative day, May 17), 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.

1. Independent review of assessments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma for purposes of awarding disability compensation (a) Agreement Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this Act referred to as the National Academies ) to perform the services covered by this section. (b) Comprehensive review Under an agreement between the Secretary and the National Academies under this section, the National Academies shall conduct a comprehensive review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma (in this Act referred to as MST ), for the purpose of assessing the impairments of such individuals arising from MST. The review carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following elements: (1) A determination of the adequacy of tools and protocols used by the Secretary to provide examinations described in this subsection, including— (A) the Disability Benefits Questionnaires; (B) the Department’s schedule of rating disabilities; (C) consideration of whether certain conditions linked to MST should require referral for both a mental health examination and a physical health examination; and (D) the necessity of internal pelvic examinations to diagnose certain conditions linked to MST, and whether alternatives to such examinations could be considered if a veteran objects to or cannot complete such examination. (2) A determination of what credentials and training are necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform such examinations related to physical conditions linked to MST, for men and for women, including— (A) sexual dysfunction; (B) pelvic pain; (C) pelvic dysfunction; (D) musculoskeletal disabilities; and (E) cardiovascular conditions (including stroke). (3) A determination of what credentials and training are necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform such examinations related to mental health conditions linked to MST, for men and for women. (4) An assessment of the quality of MST training for individuals who perform such examinations, including recommendations for improvements to such training. (c) Reports (1) Report of the National Academies Not later than 540 days after the date on which the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (a), the National Academies shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the comprehensive review conducted under subsection (b). Such report shall include the following elements: (A) The findings of the National Academies under subsection (b). (B) Recommendations of the National Academies regarding legislative or administrative action to improve of the adjudication of claims described in subsection (b). (2) Report of the Secretary Not later than 90 days after submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the plans of the Secretary to carry out any action based on the findings and recommendations of the National Academies.

Passed the House of Representatives May 18, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: I One Hundred Seventeenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-two H. R. 6064 AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.

1. Independent review of assessments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma for purposes of awarding disability compensation (a) Agreement Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this Act referred to as the National Academies ) to perform the services covered by this section. (b) Comprehensive review Under an agreement between the Secretary and the National Academies under this section, the National Academies shall conduct a comprehensive review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma (in this Act referred to as MST ), for the purpose of assessing the impairments of such individuals arising from MST. The review carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following elements: (1) A determination of the adequacy of tools and protocols used by the Secretary to provide examinations described in this subsection, including— (A) the Disability Benefits Questionnaires; (B) the Department’s schedule of rating disabilities; (C) consideration of whether certain conditions linked to MST should require referral for both a mental health examination and a physical health examination; and (D) the necessity of internal pelvic examinations to diagnose certain conditions linked to MST, and whether alternatives to such examinations could be considered if a veteran objects to or cannot complete such examination. (2) A determination of what credentials and training are necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform such examinations related to physical conditions linked to MST, for men and for women, including— (A) sexual dysfunction; (B) pelvic pain; (C) pelvic dysfunction; (D) musculoskeletal disabilities; and (E) cardiovascular conditions (including stroke). (3) A determination of what credentials and training are necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform such examinations related to mental health conditions linked to MST, for men and for women. (4) An assessment of the quality of MST training for individuals who perform such examinations, including recommendations for improvements to such training. (c) Reports (1) Report of the National Academies Not later than 540 days after the date on which the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (a), the National Academies shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the comprehensive review conducted under subsection (b). Such report shall include the following elements: (A) The findings of the National Academies under subsection (b). (B) Recommendations of the National Academies regarding legislative or administrative action to improve of the adjudication of claims described in subsection (b). (2) Report of the Secretary Not later than 90 days after submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the plans of the Secretary to carry out any action based on the findings and recommendations of the National Academies.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.