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Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023

USA118th CongressS-1028| Senate 
| Updated: 3/29/2023
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (7)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Kyrsten Sinema (Independent)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023 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 supporting 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 access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires the Government Accountability Office to report on access to such care for MST survivors.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-374
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3025
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
Mar 29, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Mar 29, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 14, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-2441
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-374
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

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


  • March 29, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 29, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 14, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-2441
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 118-2441: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023

USA118th CongressS-1028| Senate 
| Updated: 3/29/2023
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023 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 supporting 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 access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires 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

S 116-374
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3025
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
Mar 29, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Mar 29, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 14, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-2441
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-374
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

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


  • March 29, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 29, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 14, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-2441
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (7)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Kyrsten Sinema (Independent)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 118-2441: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted