# Wounded Warrior Access Act: Plain Language Summary

This bill makes it easier for veterans and their representatives to request medical and service records from the Department of Veterans Affairs by allowing them to submit requests online instead of only in writing. Right now, if a veteran needs copies of their records—whether for a disability claim, medical treatment, or other purposes—they have to submit a written request and wait. The new law requires the VA to build a secure website or online tool where veterans can submit these requests electronically. Once the VA receives a request through this system, they have to send back a confirmation within 10 days and provide the actual records within 120 days. Veterans can also choose what format they want their records in, such as printed copies or downloadable files.

The bill also protects veterans from scams and predatory practices by requiring warning messages every time a veteran logs into any VA website. These warnings will alert veterans about people who illegally try to represent them, provide links to report suspicious individuals, and help veterans find legitimate VA-recognized representatives like attorneys or agents. The warnings will be available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and the seven other most commonly spoken languages in the United States, making sure information reaches veterans regardless of their primary language.

The VA has one year from when this bill becomes law to set up the online request system and implement the warning messages. Importantly, the bill doesn't ask Congress to provide any new funding—the VA must use money it already has to make these improvements. This is essentially a modernization effort designed to reduce paperwork, speed up the process for getting records, and add safeguards to prevent veterans from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous representatives.

Wounded Warrior Access Act

Wounded Warrior Access Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable a claimant or their representative to make records requests related to VA claims and benefits. Requests for records must specify in which format the copy is desired. The VA must notify a requester within 10 days that their request has been received and must fulfill the request within 120 days. The bill also requires the VA to ensure that each time a claimant logs in to a website or online tool of the VA, the website or online tool displays in plain language (1) a warning regarding violations of laws related to agents and attorneys, (2) a link to an online tool to report violations, (3) a link to an online tool to search for a VA-recognized agent or attorney, and (4) a link to a website or online tool providing final decisions on discipline of agents and attorneys for violations.