,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #abde ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #a 7legislative day1 ,march #ca71 #bjbe,mr4 ,blumenthal 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,murkowski1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,fetterman1 ,mr4 ,van ,hollen1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 and ,mrs4 ,shaheen7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to expand health care and benefits from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for military sexual trauma1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,servicemembers and ,veterans ,empowerment and ,support ,act of #bjbe4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,,title ,i--,defining military sexual trauma,sec4 #aja4 ,report on military sexual trauma in the digital age4,,title ,,ii--,disability compensation and claims processing,sec4 #bja4 ,definition of military sexual trauma4,sec4 #bjb4 ,conforming changes relating to specialized teams to evaluate claims involving military sexual trauma4,sec4 #bjc4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma4,sec4 #bjd4 ,choice of location of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical examination for assessment of claims for compensation relating to disability resulting from military sexual trauma4,sec4 #bje4 ,communications from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma4,sec4 #bjf4 ,study on training and processing relating to claims for disability compensation relating to military sexual trauma4,sec4 #bjg4 ,annual special focus review of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma4,sec4 #bjh4 ,workgroup on medical examinations for claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma4,,title ,,iii--,access to health care,sec4 #cja4 ,expansion of eligibility for counseling and treatment for military sexual trauma to include all former members of the reserve components of the armed forces4,sec4 #cjb4 ,connection to veterans health administration when a disability claim related to military sexual trauma is submitted to veterans benefits administration4,sec4 #cjc4 ,care relating to military sexual trauma for individuals who withdraw from or otherwise do not complete service at service academies4 ,i ,defining military sexual trauma #aja4 ,report on military sexual trauma in the digital age 7a7 ,report required ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on military sexual trauma in the digital age4 7b7 ,requirements ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of current ,department of ,veterans ,affairs statutes1 regulations1 and agency guidance relating to military sexual trauma for the purposes of access to health care under chapter #ag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 and compensation under chapter #aa of such title to identify-- 7,a7 gaps in coverage for health care and compensation eligibility relating to military sexual trauma involving online or other technological communications2 and 7,b7 the feasibility and advisability of expanding health care and compensation for trauma that is nonsexual in nature involving online or other technological communications4 7#b7 ,recommendations for revising statutes1 regulations1 and agency guidance in response to the evaluation and assessment under paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,consultation 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall consult veterans service organizations and such other stakeholders as the ,secretary considers relevant and appropriate4 7#b7 ,relation to ,,faca ,chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall not apply to paragraph 7#a74 7d7 ,military sexual trauma defined ,in this section1 the term military sexual trauma-- 7#a7 with respect to eligibility for health care1 has the meaning given such term in section #agbj;,d7f7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #cja2 and 7#b7 with respect to eligibility for compensation1 has the meaning given such term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #bjc7;a74 ,,ii ,disability compensation and claims processing #bja4 ,definition of military sexual trauma ,in this title1 the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given such term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #bjc7;a74 #bjb4 ,conforming changes relating to specialized teams to evaluate claims involving military sexual trauma ,section #aaff of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a71 by striking for compensation for a covered mental health condition and inserting for compensation for a condition1 which may include a covered mental health condition12 and 7#b7 by amending subsection 7d7 to read as follows3 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the terms covered mental health condition and military sexual trauma have the meanings given those terms in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 4 #bjc4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,vi of chapter #aa of such title is amended by inserting after section #aaff the following new section3 #aaff;,a4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,in the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition based on military sexual trauma was incurred in or aggravated by active military1 naval1 air1 or space service1 the ,secretary shall consider the following3 7,a7 ,a diagnosis of such mental health condition by a mental health professional4 7,b7 ,a link1 established by medical evidence1 between current symptoms and a military sexual trauma4 7,c7 ,credible corroborating evidence1 in accordance with subsections 7b7 and 7c71 that the claimed military sexual trauma occurred4 7#b7 ,the reasons for granting or denying service-connection in each case described in paragraph 7#a7 shall be recorded in full4 7b7 ,nonmilitary sources of evidence 7#a7 ,for purposes of subsection 7a71 evidence from sources other than official records of the ,department of ,defense regarding the veteran's active military1 naval1 air1 or space service may corroborate the veteran's account of the trauma4 7#b7 ,examples of evidence described in paragraph 7#a7 include the following3 7,a7 ,records from law enforcement authorities1 rape crisis centers1 mental health counseling centers1 hospitals1 and physicians4 7,b7 ,pregnancy tests and tests for sexually transmitted diseases4 7,c7 ,statements from family members1 roommates1 other members of the ,armed ,forces or veterans1 and clergy4 7c7 ,evidence of behavior changes 7#a7 ,for purposes of subsection 7a71 evidence of a behavior change following military sexual trauma is one type of relevant evidence that may be found in sources described in such subsection4 7#b7 ,examples of behavior changes that may be relevant evidence of military sexual trauma include the following3 7,a7 ,a request for a transfer to another military duty assignment4 7,b7 ,deterioration in work performance4 7,c7 ,substance abuse or substance use disorder4 7,d7 ,episodes of depression1 panic attacks1 or anxiety without an identifiable cause4 7,e7 ,unexplained economic or social behavior changes4 7d7 ,notice and opportunity ,to supply evidence ,the ,secretary may not deny a claim of a veteran for compensation under this chapter for a covered mental health condition that is based on military sexual trauma without first-- 7#a7 advising the veteran that evidence described in subsections 7b7 and 7c7 may constitute credible corroborating evidence of the military sexual trauma2 and 7#b7 allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish such corroborating evidence or advise the ,secretary of potential sources of such evidence4 7e7 ,review of evidence ,in reviewing a claim for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a71 for any evidence identified as part of such claim that is described in subsection 7b7 or 7c71 the ,secretary shall submit such evidence to such medical or mental health professional as the ,secretary considers appropriate1 including clinical and counseling experts employed by the ,department1 to obtain an opinion as to whether the evidence indicates that a military sexual trauma occurred4 7f7 ,point of contact ,the ,secretary shall ensure that each document provided to a veteran relating to a claim for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a7 includes contact information for an appropriate point of contact with the ,department4 7g7 ,specialized teams ,the ,secretary shall ensure that all claims for compensation described in subsection 7a77#a7 are reviewed and processed by a specialized team established under section #aaff of this title4 7h7 ,rule of construction regarding application to nonsexual personal assault ,the ,secretary shall not construe this section as supplanting the standard of proof or evidence required for claims for post-traumatic stress disorder based on nonsexual personal assault1 which the ,secretary shall continue to define in regulation4 7i7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term covered mental health condition means post-traumatic stress disorder1 anxiety1 depression1 or other mental health diagnosis that the ,secretary determines to be related to military sexual trauma and which may be service-connected under section #aaaj of this title4 7#b7 ,the term mental health professional means a provider in the field of mental health who meets the credential1 licensure1 education1 and training requirements established by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,the term military sexual trauma means1 with respect to a veteran1 a physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the active military1 naval1 air1 or space service4 4 7b7 ,outreach 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall implement1 with input from the veteran community1 an informative outreach program for veterans regarding the standard of proof for evaluation of claims relating to military sexual trauma1 including requirements for a medical examination and opinion4 7#b7 ,targeted outreach ,in implementing the program under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall1 to the extent practicable1 target outreach to veterans who submitted a claim relating to military sexual trauma that was denied4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #aa of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #aaff the following new item3 #aaff;,a4 ,evaluation of claims involving military sexual trauma4 4 #bjd4 ,choice of location of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical examination for assessment of claims for compensation relating to disability resulting from military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general ,section #aafe of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by inserting and location of medical examination after examiner2 7#b7 in subsection 7a71 by striking a physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment and inserting military sexual trauma 7as defined in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title72 7#c7 by redesignating subsection 7c7 as subsection 7d72 and 7#d7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following new subsection 7c73 7c7 ,choice of examination location ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a veteran who requires a medical examination in support of a claim described in subsection 7a7 may request that the medical examination take place at a medical facility of the ,department by a qualified employee of the ,department rather than at a location designated by a contractor of the ,department that performs such examinations on behalf of the ,department4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #aa of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section #aafe and inserting the following new item3 #aafe4 ,choice of sex of medical examiner and location of medical examination for certain disabilities4 4 #bje4 ,communications from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7a7 ,review workgroup 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a workgroup to review correspondence relating to military sexual trauma4 7#b7 ,membership ,the workgroup established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be composed of members who shall be appointed by the ,secretary from among employees of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who are experts in military sexual trauma and mental health1 of whom-- 7,a7 one or more shall be appointed from among mental health providers of the ,veterans ,health ,administration2 7,b7 one or more shall be appointed from among experts on sexual assault and sexual harassment of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration2 and 7,c7 one or more shall be appointed from among experts on sexual assault and sexual harassment of the ,board of ,veterans' ,appeals4 7#c7 ,duties ,the workgroup established under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 review standard correspondence1 which may include templates for notices under sections #eajc1 #eajd1 #eajd;,b1 and #gajd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 from the ,department to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma for sensitivity2 and 7,b7 ensure that the correspondence-- 7i7 treats such individuals with dignity and respect2 and 7ii7 does not re-traumatize such individuals4 7#d7 ,individual who has experienced military sexual trauma defined ,in this subsection1 the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7,a7 an individual who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 relating to military sexual trauma2 7,b7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7,c7 a member of the ,armed ,forces 7including a member of the ,national ,guard or ,reserves71 a former member of the ,armed ,forces1 or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7b7 ,contents of certain written communications to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7#a7 ,notice to claimants of required information and evidence ,section #eajc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,written communications to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes each of the following3 7,a7 ,contact information for each of the following3 7i7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7ii7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7iii7 ,the ,veterans ,crisis ,line4 7iv7 ,the facility of the ,veterans ,health ,administration closest to where the individual resides4 7v7 ,the ,vet ,center closest to where the individual resides4 7,b7 ,information on the eligibility of the individual for services provided through the ,vet ,center described in subparagraph 7,a77v74 7#b7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7i7 an individual who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma2 7ii7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7iii7 a member of the ,armed ,forces 7including a member of the ,national ,guard or ,reserves71 a former member of the ,armed ,forces1 or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 7,c7 ,the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of this title4 7,d7 ,the term ,veterans ,crisis ,line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of this title4 4 7#b7 ,decisions and notices of decisions ,section #eajd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes each of the following3 7,a7 ,contact information for each of the following3 7i7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7ii7 ,the ,veterans ,crisis ,line4 7iii7 ,the facility of the ,veterans ,health ,administration closest to where the individual resides4 7iv7 ,the ,vet ,center closest to where the individual resides4 7,b7 ,information on the eligibility of the individual for services provided through the ,vet ,center described in subparagraph 7,a77iv74 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma that includes notification of an award of compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma includes-- 7,a7 the contact information described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 the contact information for the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#c7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7i7 an individual who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma2 7ii7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7iii7 a member of the ,armed ,forces 7including a member of the ,national ,guard or ,reserves71 a former member of the ,armed ,forces1 or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 7,c7 ,the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of this title4 7,d7 ,the term ,veterans ,crisis ,line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of this title4 4 7#c7 ,higher-level review by the agency of original jurisdiction ,section #eajd;,b of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7f7 ,written communications to individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma includes each of the following3 7,a7 ,contact information for each of the following3 7i7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7ii7 ,the ,veterans ,crisis ,line4 7iii7 ,the facility of the ,veterans ,health ,administration closest to where the individual resides4 7iv7 ,the ,vet ,center closest to where the individual resides4 7,b7 ,information on the eligibility of the individual for services provided through the ,vet ,center described in subparagraph 7,a77iv74 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma that includes notification of an award of compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma includes-- 7,a7 the contact information described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 the contact information for the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#c7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7i7 an individual who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma2 7ii7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7iii7 a member of the ,armed ,forces 7including a member of the ,national ,guard or ,reserves71 a former member of the ,armed ,forces1 or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 7,c7 ,the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of this title4 7,d7 ,the term ,veterans ,crisis ,line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of this title4 4 7#d7 ,board of ,veterans' ,appeals ,section #gajd of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7g7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma include each of the following3 7,a7 ,contact information for each of the following3 7i7 ,the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,health ,administration4 7ii7 ,the ,veterans ,crisis ,line4 7iii7 ,the facility of the ,veterans ,health ,administration closest to where the individual resides4 7iv7 ,the ,vet ,center closest to where the individual resides4 7,b7 ,information on the eligibility of the individual for services provided through the ,vet ,center described in subparagraph 7,a77iv74 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that any written communication under this section from the ,department to an individual who has experienced military sexual trauma that includes notification of an award of compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma includes-- 7,a7 the contact information described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 the contact information for the military sexual trauma coordinator of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#c7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term individual who has experienced military sexual trauma means-- 7i7 an individual who has filed a claim for compensation under chapter #aa of this title relating to military sexual trauma2 7ii7 a veteran who has been awarded compensation under such chapter relating to military sexual trauma2 or 7iii7 a member of the ,armed ,forces 7including a member of the ,national ,guard or ,reserves71 a former member of the ,armed ,forces1 or a veteran who is receiving care from the ,department relating to military sexual trauma4 7,b7 ,the term military sexual trauma has the meaning given that term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of this title4 7,c7 ,the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of this title4 7,d7 ,the term ,veterans ,crisis ,line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of this title4 4 #bjf4 ,study on training and processing relating to claims for disability compensation relating to military sexual trauma 7a7 ,study required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a study on-- 7#a7 the quality of training provided to personnel of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who review claims for disability compensation under chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma2 and 7#b7 the quality of the procedures of the ,department for reviewing the accuracy of the processing of such claims4 7b7 ,elements ,the study required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,with respect to the quality of training described in paragraph 7#a7 of such subsection3 7,a7 ,whether the ,department ensures personnel complete such training on time4 7,b7 ,whether the training has resulted in improvements to the processing of claims described in such subsection and issue-based accuracy4 7,c7 ,such recommendations as the ,secretary may have for improving the training4 7#b7 ,with respect to the quality of procedures described in paragraph 7#b7 of such subsection3 7,a7 ,whether the procedures of the ,department for reviewing the accuracy of the processing of claims described in such subsection comport with generally accepted statistical methodologies to ensure reasonable accuracy of such reviews4 7,b7 ,whether such procedures adequately include mechanisms to correct errors found in such reviews4 7,c7 ,a summary of quality assurance reviews and reports conducted as part of such procedures4 7,d7 ,such recommendations as the ,secretary may have for improving such procedures4 7c7 ,report required ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report detailing the findings of the ,secretary with respect to the study conducted under subsection 7a74 #bjg4 ,annual special focus review of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma 7a7 ,annual special focus review 7#a7 ,in general ,each year1 the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a special focus review on the accuracy of the processing of claims for disability compensation under chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma4 7#b7 ,elements ,each review conducted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include a review of the following3 7,a7 ,a statistically significant1 nationally representative sample of all claims for benefits under the laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs relating to military sexual trauma filed during the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which the report is submitted4 7,b7 ,the accuracy of each decision made with respect to each claim described in subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,the types of benefit entitlement errors found1 disaggregated by category4 7,d7 ,trends from year to year4 7,e7 ,training completion rates for personnel of the ,department who process claims described in paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,reprocessing of claims ,if the ,under ,secretary finds1 pursuant to a special focus review conducted under subsection 7a77#a71 that an error was made with respect to the entitlement of a veteran to a benefit under the laws administered by the ,secretary1 the ,secretary shall return the relevant claim of the veteran to the appropriate office of the ,department for reprocessing to ensure that the veteran receives an accurate decision with respect to the claim4 7c7 ,report ,section #eeja7;b7 of the ,johnny ,isakson and ,david ,p4 ,roe1 ,m4,d4 ,veterans ,health ,care and ,benefits ,improvement ,act of #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-cae2 #acd ,stat4 #ejdh7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking through #bjbg and inserting until the date described in section #bjg7;d7 of the ,servicemembers and ,veterans ,empowerment and ,support ,act of #bjbe2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,i7 ,the findings of the most recent special focus review conducted under subsection 7a77#a7 of section #bjg of the ,servicemembers and ,veterans ,empowerment and ,support ,act of #bjbe1 including-- 7i7 the elements under subsection 7a77#b7 of such section2 7ii7 the number of claims returned for reprocessing under subsection 7b7 of such section2 and 7iii7 the number of claims described in clause 7ii7 for which the decision relating to service-connection or entitlement to compensation changed as a result of reprocessing the claim4 4 7d7 ,sunset ,on the date that the ,under ,secretary determines1 pursuant to special focus reviews conducted under paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7a71 that the accuracy rates under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 of such subsection have been #ie percent or greater for five consecutive years1 subsection 7a77#a7 shall cease to be in effect4 #bjh4 ,workgroup on medical examinations for claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall establish a workgroup on medical examinations for claims for disability compensation under chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 for disabilities relating to military sexual trauma 7in this section referred to as the workgroup74 7b7 ,membership ,the workgroup shall be composed of the following3 7#a7 ,staff of the operations center for military sexual trauma of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs who have experience reviewing the quality of medical examinations in support of claims for disability compensation under chapter #aa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,staff of the ,medical ,disability ,examination ,office of the ,department4 7#c7 ,veterans service officers who have experience with claims described in subsection 7a74 7#d7 ,medical examiners who have experience with such claims4 7#e7 ,staff of the ,veterans ,experience ,office of the ,department4 7#f7 ,such other individuals as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,duties ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,workgroup shall-- 7#a7 review the quality of medical examinations described in subsection 7a72 7#b7 review the feasibility of minimizing re-examinations for conditions relating to military sexual trauma2 and 7#c7 submit to the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits of the ,department and the ,secretary recommendations on how to-- 7,a7 eliminate re-traumatization of individuals who file claims described in subsection 7a72 and 7,b7 reduce the overdevelopment of such claims4 7d7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report that includes the following3 7#a7 ,the views of the workgroup on efforts by the ,department to eliminate re-traumatization of individuals who file claims described in subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,legislative proposals to improve the experience of such individuals in pursuing such claims4 7#c7 ,the recommendations submitted under subsection 7c77#c74 7#d7 ,the plan of the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits of the ,department and the ,secretary to implement such recommendations4 7e7 ,review and implementation ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits of the ,department and the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 review the recommendations submitted under subsection 7c77#c72 and 7#b7 implement the recommendations that1 as determined by the ,under ,secretary and the ,secretary1 would improve the claims process for individuals who file claims described in subsection 7a74 ,,iii ,access to health care #cja4 ,expansion of eligibility for counseling and treatment for military sexual trauma to include all former members of the reserve components of the armed forces ,section #agbj;,d of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking a physical assault and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting military sexual trauma42 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking was suffered and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting resulted from military sexual trauma42 and 7#b7 by striking subsections 7f7 and 7g7 and inserting the following new subsection 7f73 7f7 ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term former member of the ,armed ,forces means a person who served on active duty1 active duty for training1 or inactive duty training1 and who was discharged or released therefrom under any condition that is not-- 7,a7 a discharge by court-martial1 unless the ,secretary determines an exception to the bar to benefits applies2 or 7,b7 a discharge subject to a bar to benefits under section #ecjc of this title4 7#b7 ,the term military sexual trauma means1 with respect to a member of the ,armed ,forces or former member of the ,armed ,forces1 a physical assault of a sexual nature1 battery of a sexual nature1 or sexual harassment which occurred while the member or former member was serving on duty1 regardless of duty status or line of duty determination 7as that term is used in section #abcbc of title #aj74 7#c7 ,the term sexual harassment means unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is threatening in character4 4 #cjb4 ,connection to veterans health administration when a disability claim related to military sexual trauma is submitted to veterans benefits administration 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ad days after the date on which a veteran submits a claim for disability compensation to the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration for a disability related to military sexual trauma1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall send a communication to the veteran with the following information3 7#a7 ,the contact information for the nearest military sexual trauma coordinator for the veteran at the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration and a description of the assistance such coordinator can provide4 7#b7 ,the contact information for the nearest military sexual trauma coordinator for the veteran at the ,veterans ,health ,administration and a description of the assistance such coordinator can provide4 7#c7 ,the types of services that individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma are eligible to receive from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 including the nearest locations1 including the nearest ,vet ,center1 and the contact information for such services4 7#d7 ,the contact information for the ,veterans ,crisis ,line established under section #agbj;,f7h7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,such other information on services1 care1 or resources for military sexual trauma as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,military sexual trauma ,the term military sexual trauma-- 7,a7 with respect to eligibility for health care1 has the meaning given such term in section #agbj;,d7f7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #cja2 and 7,b7 with respect to eligibility for compensation1 has the meaning given such term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #bjc7;a74 7#b7 ,vet center ,the term ,vet ,center has the meaning given that term in section #agab;,a7h7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #cjc4 ,care relating to military sexual trauma for individuals who withdraw from or otherwise do not complete service at service academies 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 and the ,secretary of ,transportation1 shall ensure that each individual who withdraws from1 or otherwise does not complete service at1 a service academy is provided-- 7#a7 information on the potential eligibility of such individual for care and counseling relating to military sexual trauma provided through the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 and 7#b7 the option to receive copies of-- 7,a7 the individual's service treatment records or military personnel records that document military sexual trauma2 7,b7 reporting forms of the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of ,homeland ,security1 or the ,department of ,transportation on sexual assault or sexual harassment for which the individual was the victim2 and 7,c7 any investigative reports into military sexual trauma that occurred during the individual's service in the ,armed ,forces and for which the individual was the victim4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,military sexual trauma ,the term military sexual trauma-- 7,a7 with respect to eligibility for health care1 has the meaning given such term in section #agbj;,d7f7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #cja2 and 7,b7 with respect to eligibility for compensation1 has the meaning given such term in section #aaff;,a7i7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #bjc7;a74 7#b7 ,service academy ,the term service academy means any of the following3 7,a7 ,the ,united ,states ,military ,academy4 7,b7 ,the ,united ,states ,naval ,academy4 7,c7 ,the ,united ,states ,air ,force ,academy4 7,d7 ,the ,united ,states ,coast ,guard ,academy4 7,e7 ,the ,united ,states ,merchant ,marine ,academy4