Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act

This bill aims to make VA disability claims for mental health conditions linked to military sexual trauma easier, more respectful, and more consistent. It requires every VA employee who handles these claims or talks with veterans about them to get yearly sensitivity training that’s updated at least once a year and matched to the worker’s experience level. The VA must also help by getting a veteran’s service medical and personnel records for these claims, so veterans don’t have to track them down on their own. These changes focus on claims for covered mental health conditions, such as PTSD, that are related to military sexual trauma.

Within 90 days of the law taking effect, the VA must report to Congress on the training it has provided and how it will carry out the new training rules. In the same 90-day window, the VA must also report on sensitivity training for contracted exam doctors and the staff who schedule exams, and explain how it will improve that training to make sure veterans are not traumatized again during exams.

Key points

• Who is affected: Veterans filing VA claims for mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma; VA employees who process or discuss these claims; contracted examiners and scheduling staff .
• What changes: Annual, updated sensitivity training for relevant VA staff; VA must obtain service medical and personnel records for these claims; VA must submit two reports on training and plans to improve it and protect veterans during exams.
• When: Reports are due within 90 days after the law takes effect; training must be updated every year.