Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act of 2025

This bill aims to expand eligibility for certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for surviving spouses of veterans who were rated as totally disabled at the time of their death . It amends section 1318 of title 38, United States Code, to broaden the criteria for who qualifies as an eligible surviving spouse. Under the proposed changes, a surviving spouse would be eligible if they were married to the veteran for at least one year immediately preceding the veteran's death. Alternatively, eligibility would extend to those who lived with the veteran in the same household for at least one year and publicly presented themselves as spouses during that period, regardless of any other legal or religious marriages.