This bill makes sure the surviving spouse of a veteran who dies from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) can receive the higher level of VA survivor benefits, no matter how long the veteran had ALS before passing. To qualify for this higher amount, the couple must have been married for at least eight years before the veteran’s death. This change applies to veterans who die from ALS on or after October 1, 2025. A summary from the Library of Congress explains the same rule and the eight-year marriage requirement for spouses of veterans who die from ALS.

The bill also requires the VA to study other serious, service-connected illnesses and report to Congress within 180 days. The report must list conditions with high death rates and include the average life expectancy for each, to help decide if any should be treated like ALS for survivor benefits.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Surviving spouses of veterans who die from ALS.
• What changes: They can get the higher survivor benefit regardless of how long the veteran had ALS; spouses must have been married to the veteran for at least eight years.
• When: Applies to ALS deaths on or after October 1, 2025; VA report due within 180 days of the law taking effect.