# Plain Language Summary: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025

## What This Bill Does

This bill expands mental health care and disability benefits for military veterans and service members who have experienced sexual trauma. It updates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rules to better recognize and treat military sexual trauma (MST), including trauma that occurs through digital or online communications. The bill also aims to streamline the process for veterans to file claims and receive compensation for disabilities related to sexual trauma they experienced during military service.

## Who Benefits

The primary beneficiaries are:
- **Active duty service members and veterans** who experienced sexual assault or harassment during military service
- **Reserve component members** (National Guard and Reserve forces) who previously had limited access to MST counseling
- **Service academy attendees** who experienced sexual trauma but left before completing their service
- Veterans filing disability claims related to MST would benefit from faster, more specialized processing

## Key Changes

- **Expanded definition**: The bill recognizes sexual trauma that occurs through online or digital communications, not just in-person incidents
- **Improved claims processing**: Creates specialized teams and standardized procedures to evaluate MST-related disability claims more consistently
- **Better access to care**: Allows veterans to choose where they receive medical examinations for MST claims and ensures those filing disability claims are connected to health services
- **Research and training**: Requires the VA to study current practices and submit a report on gaps in coverage, with recommendations for improvements

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025

Blumenthal, Richard

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025This 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 corroborating 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 eligibility for MST counseling and treatment to former members of the reserve components regardless of duty status, and (2) requires various outreach by the VA to inform potentially eligible individuals about MST care.