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Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-5666| House 
| Updated: 11/2/2021
Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree

Democratic Representative

Maine

Cosponsors (21)
Chris Pappas (Democratic)Tom Malinowski (Democratic)Derek Kilmer (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democratic)Carolyn Bourdeaux (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Ann M. Kuster (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Ron Kind (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Ed Perlmutter (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Mike Levin (Democratic)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Armed Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021 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. The VA must revise its regulations to update the definition of MST to include matters relating to technological abuse. 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 accept specified diagnoses and evidence as proof of service-connection. 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 access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires the VA and the Government Accountability Office to report on access to such care for MST survivors.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1092
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019
Oct 21, 2021
Introduced in House
Oct 21, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Nov 2, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-3025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1092
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019


  • October 21, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • October 21, 2021
    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • November 2, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • March 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-3025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 117-3025: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-5666| House 
| Updated: 11/2/2021
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021 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. The VA must revise its regulations to update the definition of MST to include matters relating to technological abuse. 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 accept specified diagnoses and evidence as proof of service-connection. 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 access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires the VA and the Government Accountability Office to report on access to such care for MST survivors.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1092
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019
Oct 21, 2021
Introduced in House
Oct 21, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Nov 2, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-3025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1092
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019


  • October 21, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • October 21, 2021
    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • November 2, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • March 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-3025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree

Democratic Representative

Maine

Cosponsors (21)
Chris Pappas (Democratic)Tom Malinowski (Democratic)Derek Kilmer (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democratic)Carolyn Bourdeaux (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Ann M. Kuster (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Ron Kind (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Ed Perlmutter (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Mike Levin (Democratic)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Armed Services Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 117-3025: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted