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Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025
4/6/2025, 4:38 AM
Summary of Bill HR 2576
The bill proposes several key provisions to expand access to care for veterans who have experienced MST, including increasing the availability of mental health services, improving training for VA providers on how to address the unique needs of MST survivors, and enhancing outreach efforts to ensure that veterans are aware of the services available to them.
Additionally, the bill seeks to streamline the process for veterans to access benefits related to MST, such as disability compensation and treatment for physical and mental health conditions resulting from their experiences. It also includes provisions to improve data collection and reporting on MST within the VA, in order to better understand the scope of the issue and ensure that resources are allocated effectively. Overall, Bill 119 HR 2576 represents a bipartisan effort to address the specific challenges faced by veterans who have experienced MST, and to ensure that they receive the care and support they need to heal and thrive after their service to our country.
Congressional Summary of HR 2576
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025
This bill modifies and implements policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is generally defined as physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the military.
In the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on MST was incurred or aggravated by active service, the VA must consider (1) a diagnosis of the condition by a mental health professional, (2) a medically proven link between current symptoms and MST, and (3) credible corroborating evidence that MST occurred.
The VA may not deny a veteran's claim of compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST without first (1) advising the veteran that nonmilitary evidence and behavioral evidence may constitute credible corroborating evidence, and (2) allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish the corroborating evidence or advise the VA of potential sources of such evidence.
The Veterans Benefits Administration must conduct an annual special focus review on the accuracy of the processing of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to MST.
Additionally, the bill (1) expands eligibility for MST counseling and treatment to former members of the reserve components regardless of duty status, and (2) requires various outreach by the VA to inform potentially eligible individuals about MST care.
