Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims Act (H.R. 2201), a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Reps. Young Kim (CA-40), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06).
According to VA officials, the department received 57,400 MST claims in fiscal year 2024, up 18% from the previous year, and approved more than 63% of them, up from roughly 40% more than a decade ago.
The Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act:
- Requires the VA Secretary to create a plan to improve training for Contracted Disability Compensation Examiners (CDCEs) who assist veterans dealing with MST;
- Ensures annual training for all employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration;
- Improves quality assurance of CDCEs so MST veterans are not retraumatized during the medical disability examination process; and,
- Requires the VA to automatically obtain all service and personnel medical records for PTSD-based claims filed for in-service personal assault.
“MST survivors have already faced unthinkable treatment and pain. The VA examination process shouldn’t cause more stress,” said Rep. Young Kim. “This bipartisan bill provides much-needed updates to VA training and ensures survivors receive the certainty, compassion, and care they deserve. I thank my colleagues for coming together in a bipartisan manner to pass this commonsense bill out of the House, and I’ll keep fighting to get this over the finish line.”
One sexual assault in the military is one too many and can leave behind a wake of trauma, anxiety, and depression. As Wing Commander at Ramstein, I established the best sexual assault prevention program in the Air Force because I recognize the importance of protecting our service members from such violence,” said Rep. Bacon. “I’m pleased today the House passed the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims Act, which aims to support those service members who do tragically experience sexual assault by easing the burden of navigating the complex processes involved in accessing essential care.”
Rep. Kim spoke in support of the bill on the House floor. Watch HERE.
