US House Committee Considers Bill to Improve Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Examiners

The US House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is considering the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act. This bill aims to enhance the training of contracted disability compensation examiners (CDCEs) who handle military sexual trauma (MST) claims. The proposed legislation mandates annual training for all Veterans Benefits Administration employees and seeks to improve the quality assurance of CDCEs. It also aims to obtain all service and personnel medical records for PTSD-related claims filed for in-service personal assault. The bill addresses concerns that the current online sensitivity training is insufficient, potentially causing further trauma to veterans. The VA has seen an increase in MST claims, receiving 57,400 in fiscal year 2024, an 18% increase from the previous year. The VA approved 63% of these claims, up from 40% a decade ago. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) are leading the effort to pass the bill.