David Schwartz

Bill 119 hr 1685, also known as the "ALS Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Act," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code to extend increased dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to surviving spouses of veterans who pass away from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), regardless of how long the veterans had the disease prior to their death.

Currently, DIC is provided to surviving spouses of veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability. However, under the current law, the increased DIC for ALS is only available to surviving spouses if the veteran had the disease for a certain period of time before their death. This bill seeks to remove that requirement and ensure that all surviving spouses of veterans who die from ALS are eligible for the increased DIC benefits.

The purpose of this bill is to provide support and financial assistance to the surviving spouses of veterans who have been affected by ALS, a debilitating and progressive neurological disease. By extending the DIC benefits to all surviving spouses of veterans who die from ALS, regardless of the duration of the disease prior to death, this bill aims to ensure that these families receive the support they need during a difficult time. Overall, Bill 119 hr 1685 seeks to address a gap in the current law and provide much-needed assistance to the families of veterans who have been impacted by ALS.