The U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee on May 6 passed out of markup a bipartisan bill that aims to improve training at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for sexual trauma claims made by United States military service members.
“Filing and pursuing a VA claim is stressful enough. Survivors of military sexual trauma [MST] shouldn’t have to deal with their trauma again when going through the VA disability claims process due to ignorance from VA employees and contracted compensation and pension examiners,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
The Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims Act, H.R. 2201, is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), who introduced the bill on March 18 alongside three original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Don Bacon (R-NE).
“I thank my friend, Rep. Kim, for her leadership on the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act on behalf of survivors of MST and I am glad to see this important bill passed out of markup to improve services for veterans at VA,” Rep. Bost added.
If enacted, H.R. 2201 would require the VA Secretary to create a plan to improve training for Contracted Disability Compensation Examiners (CDCEs) who assist veterans dealing with MST, and ensure annual training for all employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, the bill would improve quality assurance of CDCEs so MST veterans are not retraumatized during the medical disability examination process, and require the VA to automatically obtain all service and personnel medical records for PTSD-based claims filed for in-service personal assault, the summary says.
“As the VA receives more MST claims, staff must be prepared to process claims in a timely and caring manner,” Rep. Kim said. “The bipartisan Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act aims to provide much-needed updates to training for CDCEs conducting examinations and certainty for veterans filing MST claims that they are valued and will receive the care they deserve.”
The measure now moves to the full chamber for consideration.
“Sexual assault can leave behind a wake of trauma, anxiety, and depression and we need to ensure our service members are safe,” said Rep. Bacon. “The Improving VA Training for MST Claims Act supports service members who are sexually assaulted by easing the burden of navigating the complex processes involved in accessing essential care.”