Independent Review of Assessments By the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of Mental and Physical Conditions Linked to Military Sexual Trauma for Purposes of Awarding Disability Compensation

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6064, and I thank Congressman Nehls, Congresswoman Luria, and the leaders of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for introducing this bill.

This bill would require the VA to partner with the National Academies to conduct an independent review of the VA's delivery of benefits for claims related to MST.

The National Academies would also provide recommendations that the VA could implement to improve the disability claims process for MST survivors.

For decades, the National Academies has led research into the VA disability benefits process, including reports on the health effects of toxic exposures and VA's handling of traumatic brain injury claims.

This study is needed to help Congress and VA better understand what changes need to be made in this process to ensure that veterans receive quality, timely, and compassionate consideration of their disability claims.

For too long, we have heard that the MST claims process can be insensitive. This is unacceptable, and VA must do better.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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